botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm 
: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate
Examples of botulism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly 30 people in Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod, cities east of Moscow, have also turned up at hospitals with botulism symptoms, Interfax reported.
—
Reuters, NBC News, 18 June 2024
Four of them showed symptoms consistent with the possible spread of toxin beyond the injection site and had to be treated with botulism antitoxin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2024
However, the agency noted that five people were specifically tested for botulism, and all tested negative.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024
Often, non-surgical management, such as eye muscle exercises or botulism (Botox) injection, can help treat mild eye deviation.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism 
Reuters, NBC News, 18 June 2024
Four of them showed symptoms consistent with the possible spread of toxin beyond the injection site and had to be treated with botulism antitoxin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2024
However, the agency noted that five people were specifically tested for botulism, and all tested negative.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024
Often, non-surgical management, such as eye muscle exercises or botulism (Botox) injection, can help treat mild eye deviation.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botulism.' 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
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: poisoning caused by eating food containing a toxin made by a spore-forming bacterium
Medical Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate see botulinum toxin, limberneck
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