listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə 

plural listeria

: any of a genus (Listeria) of small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (Listeria monocytogenes) that causes listeriosis

A common germ found in many foods from raw vegetables to hot dogs, listeria can cause a sometimes fatal disease called listeriosis when present in large quantities.

—Amy Barrett

also : a disease or sickness caused by infection with this bacterium : listeriosis

Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

—Sierra Brown

Examples of listeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are many factors that determine if someone gets listeriosis—a listeria infection. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

Six people have died due to a multistate outbreak of listeria linked to recalled prepared pasta meals sold at major grocery chains, including Albertsons, Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market and Trader Joe’s. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria infections are rare, but can result in a serious illness called listeriosis. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Federal health agencies began investigating the outbreak in June, after 17 people became sick and three died from listeria infection. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for listeria

• arteria
• bacteria
• criteria
• diphtheria
• egeria
• neisseria
• wisteria
• cafeteria
• cyanobacteria
• mycobacteria

Medical Definition

listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of small gram-positive flagellated rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (L. monocytogenes) causing listeriosis

2

: any bacterium of the genus Listeria

called also listerella

listerial

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective