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

Common causes include bacterial infections, tight pelvic floor muscles, or a previous surgery in the pelvic region. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Oct. 2025

These methods sort through the DNA in a sample looking for specific genes that are signatures of parasites like pinworms, as well as bacterial pathogens. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

Supports Gut Health Pomegranates may help digestive health by supporting the gut microbiome, the naturally occurring bacterial environment in the stomach. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025

Momeni handled the cultivation of the bacteria, while Wang used the bacterial cultures for battery cathode leaching. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bacterial

• bacterial vaginosis

Rhymes for bacterial

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

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