food poisoning

noun

: an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food

Examples of food poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both Panelli and his wife, Julie, came down with food poisoning. —CNN Money, 14 June 2026

The spoof comedy parodied 1970s disaster films and followed Hays' character, who must overcome his fear of flying to land a commercial jet when its crew and passengers become incapacitated by food poisoning. —Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

Both Panelli and his wife, Julie, came down with food poisoning. —Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026

Back in March, just after kicking things off, the singer was forced to cancel her show in Milan after suffering a bout of food poisoning. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

food poisoning

noun

: a digestive sickness caused by bacteria or by chemicals in food

Medical Definition

food poisoning

noun

1

: either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products:

a

: a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci)

b

: a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellae that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food

2

: a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption