botulinum

noun

bot·​u·​li·​num ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nəm 

variants or less commonly botulinus

ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nəs 

: a spore-forming bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) that secretes botulinum toxin

botulinal

ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nᵊl 

adjective

Examples of botulinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What is Clostridium botulinum and botulism? — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Jan. 2026

Healthy adults consume Clostridium botulinum spores every day without becoming sick. — Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026

The New York company said in a statement that so far its product had not tested positive for the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

The company said independent testing identified botulinum spores in 6 out of 36 finished product samples tested. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin botulus sausage

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing botulinum

• botulinum toxin

Rhymes for botulinum

• linum
• minim

Medical Definition

botulinum

noun

bot·​u·​li·​num ˌbäch-ə-ˈlī-nəm 

variants also botulinus

-nəs 

: a spore-forming bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) that produces botulinum toxin

botulinal

-ˈlīn-ᵊl 

adjective