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
Closing the lid helps limit exposure to bacteria like E. coli and norovirus, especially for vulnerable households.
—
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
The team found that after an initial slowdown, the T7 phage successfully infected E. coli in space.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Yet, the longer incubation vials told a different story, as after 23 days in orbit, the infection process was successful with fewer E. coli found in the vials.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that vinegar can remove a significant amount of bacteria commonly found on produce, including strains like E. coli and Salmonella.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
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Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
The team found that after an initial slowdown, the T7 phage successfully infected E. coli in space.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Yet, the longer incubation vials told a different story, as after 23 days in orbit, the infection process was successful with fewer E. coli found in the vials.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that vinegar can remove a significant amount of bacteria commonly found on produce, including strains like E. coli and Salmonella.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 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 29 Jan. 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
