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
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And a 2023 study found foodborne E. coli was likely behind more than 480,000 urinary tract infections in the U.S. each year.
—
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The technology demonstrated bacterial reduction during operation, including coliforms and E. coli.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
That's according to a study by the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, which reviewed data from 10 major airlines and 11 regional airlines over a three year period, examining aircraft violations, violations for E. coli, disinfecting and flushing frequency, and more.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026
Even with the challenges — sleeping in hostels for a few dollars a night, dealing with bugs, getting food poisoning and even a bout of E. coli that landed him in the hospital — Sklavos says the experience has been worth it.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
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Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The technology demonstrated bacterial reduction during operation, including coliforms and E. coli.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
That's according to a study by the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, which reviewed data from 10 major airlines and 11 regional airlines over a three year period, examining aircraft violations, violations for E. coli, disinfecting and flushing frequency, and more.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026
Even with the challenges — sleeping in hostels for a few dollars a night, dealing with bugs, getting food poisoning and even a bout of E. coli that landed him in the hospital — Sklavos says the experience has been worth it.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for E. coli
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
John Schwartzthis E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
Ed GeldreichLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
