bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
bacterial infection
bacterially adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Doctors were puzzled, and Johnson was given a 12% chance to survive until Tate did some online research and found that her son’s case mirrored those who had been diagnosed with Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterial infection of the bloodstream that can be fatal if untreated. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 The findings are detailed in a study published January 21 in the journal PLOS ONE and could be used for developing new ways to fight bacterial infections. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025 The study showed people taking GLP-1 drugs also had lower risks of some kinds of infections including pneumonia, sepsis and bacterial infections. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 The main management is preventive and to minimize incapacitation and complications after the worm erupts through the skin with the application of wet compresses, medicines for pain control and preventing bacterial infection. Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bacterial 

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacterial was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near bacterial

Cite this Entry

“Bacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacterial. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
a bacterial chromosome
bacterial infection
bacterial endocarditis
bacterially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bacterial

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