E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: an enterobacterium (Escherichia coli) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness see enterobacterium illustration
Examples of E. coli in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2023 and 2024, outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella infections were traced back to raw milk.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Some of the most common bugs that contaminate food include E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, staphylococcus, listeria and norovirus.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
Other ongoing recalls include 10 cucumber recalls connected to a salmonella outbreak, carrots recalled due to possible E. coli contamination and cocktail mix recalled due to undeclared allergens.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
McAfee's products have been linked to several outbreaks of E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, according to the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research.
—Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
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Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Some of the most common bugs that contaminate food include E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, staphylococcus, listeria and norovirus.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
Other ongoing recalls include 10 cucumber recalls connected to a salmonella outbreak, carrots recalled due to possible E. coli contamination and cocktail mix recalled due to undeclared allergens.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
McAfee's products have been linked to several outbreaks of E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, according to the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research.
—Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: a bacterium in the shape of a short rod that may cause intestinal illness
Etymology
short for Escherichia coli, the taxonomic name in biology
Medical Definition
E. coli
nounˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī
plural E. coli also E. colis
: a straight rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli of the family Enterobacteriaceae) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness marked especially by diarrhea
one million acid-resistant E. coli per gram of feces—John Schwartz
John Schwartzthis E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
Ed GeldreichLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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