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
And tests of raw products show that they are frequently contaminated with harmful viruses and bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The agency also said the plant exceeded allowable bacteria counts for E. coli three times in January and May of 2020 and May 2021.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition, the study results suggest that eating more fiber to support beneficial bacteria may help crowd out harmful bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (which can cause pneumonia and meningitis), shigella, and E. coli.
—Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Jan. 2025
The onion supplier behind a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders this past fall had numerous health and sanitation violations, including employees with unwashed hands, dirty equipment, and puddles of Listeria bacteria.
—Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
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Brenda Goodman, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The agency also said the plant exceeded allowable bacteria counts for E. coli three times in January and May of 2020 and May 2021.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition, the study results suggest that eating more fiber to support beneficial bacteria may help crowd out harmful bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (which can cause pneumonia and meningitis), shigella, and E. coli.
—Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Jan. 2025
The onion supplier behind a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders this past fall had numerous health and sanitation violations, including employees with unwashed hands, dirty equipment, and puddles of Listeria bacteria.
—Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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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