enterococcus
noun
en·tero·coc·cus
ˌen-tə-rō-ˈkä-kəs 
plural enterococci
ˌen-tə-rō-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
: any of a genus (Enterococcus) of gram-positive bacteria that resemble streptococci and were formerly classified with them
especially
: a bacterium (E. faecalis) normally present in the intestine
Examples of enterococcus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts say the levels of bacteria, primarily E. coli and enterococcus, fluctuate depending on the amount of rainfall and sunlight hitting the water.
—
Alice Park / Paris, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
The most common organic contaminants—E. coli and enterococcus bacteria—are responsible for gastrointestinal illnesses, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea—not something anyone welcomes, not the least athletes who need to be in peak physical condition for competition.
—Alice Park, TIME, 25 July 2024
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade issued a water quality advisory on Saturday for two popular beach sites after two tests revealed the presence of enterococcus bacteria.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 July 2024
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the city of Daphne and Mobile Baykeeper all test the local waters at various locations for enterococcus, a bacteria that is a common cause of infections, according to the National Institutes of Health.
—Margaret Kates | Mkates@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
According to the Department of Public Health’s website, L.A. County ocean water is analyzed for three types of indicator bacteria: total coliform, enterococcus and E. coli.
—Melissa Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2022
High levels of enterococcus bacteria were detected there on Aug. 23, according to the state Water Resources Control Board website.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022
The department tests regularly for the presence of enterococcus bacteria 16 beaches at the popular strip on the Gulf Coast.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022
But some enterococcus strains have evolved into a virulent form, called vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, or VRE, that affects more than 540,000 Americans every year.
—Wired, 9 Dec. 2019
Alice Park / Paris, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
The most common organic contaminants—E. coli and enterococcus bacteria—are responsible for gastrointestinal illnesses, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea—not something anyone welcomes, not the least athletes who need to be in peak physical condition for competition.
—Alice Park, TIME, 25 July 2024
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade issued a water quality advisory on Saturday for two popular beach sites after two tests revealed the presence of enterococcus bacteria.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 July 2024
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the city of Daphne and Mobile Baykeeper all test the local waters at various locations for enterococcus, a bacteria that is a common cause of infections, according to the National Institutes of Health.
—Margaret Kates | Mkates@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
According to the Department of Public Health’s website, L.A. County ocean water is analyzed for three types of indicator bacteria: total coliform, enterococcus and E. coli.
—Melissa Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2022
High levels of enterococcus bacteria were detected there on Aug. 23, according to the state Water Resources Control Board website.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022
The department tests regularly for the presence of enterococcus bacteria 16 beaches at the popular strip on the Gulf Coast.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022
But some enterococcus strains have evolved into a virulent form, called vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, or VRE, that affects more than 540,000 Americans every year.
—Wired, 9 Dec. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enterococcus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Enterococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterococcus. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
enterococcus
noun
en·tero·coc·cus
-ˈkäk-əs
1
capitalized
: a genus of gram-positive bacteria that resemble streptococci and were formerly classified with them
2
enterococci
-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
plural
: any bacterium of the genus Enterococcus
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
plural
: any bacterium of the genus Enterococcus
especially
: one (E. faecalis) normally present in the intestine
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