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

One of the most serious risks of eating unheated deli meat during pregnancy is the possibility of developing listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, says Dr. Carolyn Cokes, MD, MPH, a board certified OB/GYN with the Metropolitan OB/GYN group. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Consumption of food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

There has been an uptick in recalls over potential listeria concerns, but that does not mean there’s been a new increase in listeria outbreaks, Diez-Gonzalez said. —John Towfighi, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

From deli meat to frozen waffles and pancakes, listeria recalls seem to be making headlines more frequently — but why? —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2024

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