ciguatera

noun

ci·​gua·​tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə How to pronounce ciguatera (audio)
ˌsi-
: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (such as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated

Examples of ciguatera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Large predatory reef fish are typically considered higher risk for ciguatera poisoning, like barracuda or Spanish mackerel. Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020 What scares me more are ciguatera poisoning and anisakiasis. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2023 This is ciguatera, a nonbacterial foodborne illness from seafood affecting between 50,000 and 500,000 people each year. Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020 Japan has also reported several cases of ciguatera poisoning. Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020 Additionally, people who eat blue tangs have been known to develop a serious foodborne illness called ciguatera poisoning. National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 People are afraid to eat them because of their association with ciguatera, a dinoflagellate that can cause intestinal distress. AL.com, 23 July 2017 According to the paper, more than half the samples identified as a substitute species carried a health risk, including parasites, chemicals, and toxins such as ciguatera, which can cause neurological problems. Paul Sutherland, National Geographic, 9 Sep. 2016 Higher temperatures and rainfall changes would increase the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and ciguatera poisoning. Mike Ives, New York Times, 2 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from ciguato person ill with ciguatera, perhaps from cigua sea snail

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ciguatera was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near ciguatera

Cite this Entry

“Ciguatera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ciguatera. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ciguatera

noun
ci·​gua·​tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə, ˌsig- How to pronounce ciguatera (audio)
: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated

More from Merriam-Webster on ciguatera

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!