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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
Symptoms caused by counterfeit Botox are similar to those caused by botulism poisoning.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Even scarier were the issues with dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult which can lead to choking on saliva, and botulism, a serious illness that attacks the body's nerves.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
Riddle solved In infant botulism, spores of Clostridium botulinum colonize the gastrointestinal tract after accidental ingestion and start producing toxin type A.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024
Their star is Stachybotrys chartarum, a black mold reported to produce infinitesimal quantities of a toxin similar to botulism.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2024
Their star is stachybotrys chartarum, a black mold reported to produce infinitesimal quantities of a toxin similar to botulism.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Orange County Register, 22 Mar. 2024
This summer, the lake’s stagnant waters became a hotspot for wild birds and caused an outbreak of avian botulism that forced wildlife officials to patrol on airboats daily and collect hundreds of dead birds.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024
Infant botulism is rare in the US, with an average of around 80 cases each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024
There are several forms of botulism, but in this outbreak, the cases are a form called iatrogenic botulism, which occurs when too much toxin is injected during medical procedures.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 Mar. 2023
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near botulism
Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on botulism
Nglish: Translation of botulism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about botulism
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