Definition of E. coli
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
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
1925
First Known Use of e. coli
1925
E. COLI Defined for English Language Learners
E. coli
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noun
\ˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī\
Definition of E. coli for English Language Learners
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: a kind of bacteria that is sometimes in food and water and that can make people sick
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