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
Swimming in Brookeville Lake at Mounds State Recreation Area is off limits due to high levels of E. coli, Indiana State Parks announced.
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Killian Baarlaer, The Enquirer, 22 June 2024
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The algae bloom is unrelated to a recent outbreak of E. coli that sickened at least 25 people, Virginia’s health department says.
—Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
In March, concerns were raised after E. coli bacteria was discovered in London’s River Thames ahead of the historic Oxford and Cambridge boat race.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN, 18 June 2024
An infection caused by bacteria like E. coli or salmonella can cause bloody diarrhea.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli 
Killian Baarlaer, The Enquirer, 22 June 2024
The District Maryland Virginia Crime & Public Safety Local Education Obituaries Transportation Capital Weather Gang
The algae bloom is unrelated to a recent outbreak of E. coli that sickened at least 25 people, Virginia’s health department says.
—Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
In March, concerns were raised after E. coli bacteria was discovered in London’s River Thames ahead of the historic Oxford and Cambridge boat race.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN, 18 June 2024
An infection caused by bacteria like E. coli or salmonella can cause bloody diarrhea.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'E. coli.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 2 Jul. 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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