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
Recent Examples on the Web
Official data shows one-off rainfall events can quickly cause E. coli levels to spike again, and as recently as June 30, following rain the previous day, E. coli levels increased to around 2000 CFU/100mL at Alexandra III Bridge.
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Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 17 July 2024
An initial swim date of June 23 had to be rescheduled due to the high levels of E. coli and enterococci fecal bacteria in the Seine linked to municipal waste.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 17 July 2024
Testing last week showed significantly high levels of E. coli at several points in the James River — Rocketts Landing, West 42nd Street, Belle Isle and Mayo Island, WRIC reported earlier this week.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 17 July 2024
But readings earlier this summer turned up high levels of E. coli bacteria, which indicates the presence of fecal matter.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli 
Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 17 July 2024
An initial swim date of June 23 had to be rescheduled due to the high levels of E. coli and enterococci fecal bacteria in the Seine linked to municipal waste.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 17 July 2024
Testing last week showed significantly high levels of E. coli at several points in the James River — Rocketts Landing, West 42nd Street, Belle Isle and Mayo Island, WRIC reported earlier this week.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 17 July 2024
But readings earlier this summer turned up high levels of E. coli bacteria, which indicates the presence of fecal matter.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli
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Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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
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