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
In 2006, her son Eric drank raw milk contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7.
—
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
When Niccol became the company’s leader in 2018, Chipotle was still reeling from the impact of its 2016 E. coli outbreaks that sickened over a thousand customers, forcing the company to temporarily shut down over 40 locations.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 3 June 2024
Of the planes sampled, 13 percent contained coliform and two even had dangerous levels of E. coli in the water.
—Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
The Food and Drug Administration has long advised against drinking raw milk, which can contain a number of dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 May 2024
In one such study, apple cider vinegar was proven to damage cell structures and prevent growth in E. coli and other bacteria.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 24 May 2024
Raw milk is far more likely than pasteurized milk to cause illnesses and hospitalizations linked to dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter, listeria, salmonella and E. coli, research shows.
—Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 14 May 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said symptoms of E. coli infections vary from person to person.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
More than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart and produced by Cargill Meat Solutions have been recalled due to a possible E. coli contamination.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 6 May 2024
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
When Niccol became the company’s leader in 2018, Chipotle was still reeling from the impact of its 2016 E. coli outbreaks that sickened over a thousand customers, forcing the company to temporarily shut down over 40 locations.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 3 June 2024
Of the planes sampled, 13 percent contained coliform and two even had dangerous levels of E. coli in the water.
—Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
The Food and Drug Administration has long advised against drinking raw milk, which can contain a number of dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 May 2024
In one such study, apple cider vinegar was proven to damage cell structures and prevent growth in E. coli and other bacteria.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 24 May 2024
Raw milk is far more likely than pasteurized milk to cause illnesses and hospitalizations linked to dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter, listeria, salmonella and E. coli, research shows.
—Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 14 May 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said symptoms of E. coli infections vary from person to person.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
More than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart and produced by Cargill Meat Solutions have been recalled due to a possible E. coli contamination.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 6 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'E. coli.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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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