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

This growth can be triggered by stress factors such as environmental injury, insect feeding damage, or infections from fungal or bacterial pathogens. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Heavy black mold like biofilm and bacterial slime residue were found inside the ice machine. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

This week, there was a widespread garlic powder recall across Canada due to possible bacterial contamination in some garlic powders. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

These two hypervirulent bacterial samples had key mutations in genes that produce the bacterium’s capsule, explaining their gloopiness. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 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