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

Drinking plenty of fluids and voiding regularly is the best way to prevent bacterial overgrowth, which may lead to an infection. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026

Silver discourages mildew, mold and bacterial growth through a natural chemical process. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

The advance offers a glimpse of a future in which bespoke phage therapies are made to order to combat bacterial infections that antibiotics can no longer touch. — Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

In a recent analysis of bacterial genomes, Murali and her colleagues concluded that some aerobes existed before the dawn of photosynthesis. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 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