E. coli

noun \ ˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī \

Definition of E. coli

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

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First Known Use of e. coli

1925

in the meaning defined above

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E. COLI Defined for English Language Learners

E. coli

noun

Definition of E. coli for English Language Learners

: a kind of bacteria that is sometimes in food and water and that can make people sick

Medical Dictionary

E. coli

noun \ ˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī \

medical Definition of E. coli

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