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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
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
Health officials are also currently investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to organic walnuts sold in food co-ops or natural food stores.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2024
Raw milk can carry bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and campylobacter, and was associated with 1,909 illnesses between 1993 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Animals such as cattle may also spread E. coli to food and food crops.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
About 16,000 pounds of ground beef products shipped to Walmart stores nationwide were recalled Wednesday because they might be contaminated with the harshest strain of E. coli.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024
The bacteria typically strikes three or four days after a person consumes food tainted with E. coli.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 2 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.
Word History
First Known Use
1925, in the meaning defined above
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids 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
this E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
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