listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə 

plural listeria

: any of a genus (Listeria) of small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (Listeria monocytogenes) that causes listeriosis

A common germ found in many foods from raw vegetables to hot dogs, listeria can cause a sometimes fatal disease called listeriosis when present in large quantities.

—Amy Barrett

also : a disease or sickness caused by infection with this bacterium : listeriosis

Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

—Sierra Brown

Examples of listeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The number of recalls because of listeria, salmonella or E. coli increased significantly in 2024 and comprised about 40 percent of all recalls for the FDA and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) combined, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. —Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

More than 2 million baked goods manufactured by FGF Brands, including some doughnuts and products sold at Dunkin', were recalled over concerns of potential listeria contamination, according to an FDA report. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025

More than two million baked goods were recalled over concerns of listeria contamination. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

More than 2 million pastries sold nationwide have been recalled for potential listeria contamination, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report updated on Wednesday, February 5. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of small gram-positive flagellated rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (L. monocytogenes) causing listeriosis

2

: any bacterium of the genus Listeria

called also listerella

listerial

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective