enterobacterium

noun

en·​tero·​bac·​te·​ri·​um ˌen-tə-rō-bak-ˈtir-ē-əm How to pronounce enterobacterium (audio)
: any of a family (Enterobacteriaceae) of gram-negative straight rod bacteria (such as a salmonella, a shigella, or E. coli) that ferment glucose and include saprophytes as well as some serious plant and animal pathogens
enterobacterial adjective

Illustration of enterobacterium

Illustration of enterobacterium
  • 1 E. coli
  • 2 shigella

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enterobacterium was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near enterobacterium

Cite this Entry

“Enterobacterium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterobacterium. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

enterobacterium

noun
en·​tero·​bac·​te·​ri·​um -bak-ˈtir-ē-əm How to pronounce enterobacterium (audio)
plural enterobacteria
-ē-ə
: any bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae
enterobacterial adjective
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