bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

bacterial infection

bacterially

bak-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The result was a menu of skin complaints – fungal, bacterial and otherwise. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

But bacterial infections — now quite treatable — were unknown two-plus centuries ago. — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 30 June 2026

Legionnaires is a bacterial pneumonia caused by the bacteria legionella, which grows in warm water. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

Our study helps resolve this paradox by providing evidence that scratching also provides defense against bacterial skin infections. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bacterial

• bacterial vaginosis

Rhymes for bacterial

• cereal
• virial
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• arterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

a bacterial chromosome

bacterial infection

bacterial endocarditis

bacterially

-ə-lē 

adverb