bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

bacterial infection

bacterially

bak-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, investigated how these bacterial compounds evolved, as changes in the bacteria’s DNA over time altered the GameXPeptides. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

If symptoms are present alongside high bacterial levels, a provider may recommend antibiotics, commonly doxycycline or azithromycin. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

When symptoms accompany high bacterial levels, providers may prescribe doxycycline or azithromycin. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026

When symptoms show up alongside high bacterial levels, a provider may recommend antibiotics, commonly doxycycline or azithromycin. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bacterial

• bacterial vaginosis

Rhymes for bacterial

• cereal
• virial
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• arterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

a bacterial chromosome

bacterial infection

bacterial endocarditis

bacterially

-ə-lē 

adverb