food poisoning

noun

: an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food

Examples of food poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some conditions that cause diarrhea and fever, like listeria (a type of food poisoning), can be especially dangerous to pregnant people. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

After his dinner on the French Riviera in the spring of 1994, a 40-something-year-old man experienced one of the strangest incidents of food poisoning ever recorded. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Around 46 adults reported feeling sick and displayed symptoms of food poisoning. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2024

Doctor shares advice on how to prevent food poisoning Most of the people who became ill reported eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches, the CDC says. —Nadia Kounang, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

food poisoning

noun

: a digestive sickness caused by bacteria or by chemicals in food

Medical Definition

food poisoning

noun

1

: either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products:

a

: a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci)

b

: a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellae that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food

2

: a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption