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

Health officials are warning of a dangerous bacterial infection that has been detected at a homeless encampment in Berkeley, California. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Doctors later diagnosed Adeline with encephalitis, a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Japanese natto, made from fermented soybeans, gets its signature stretchiness from bacterial cultures. —Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026

Lingering odors, discoloration, stains, and bacterial growth are issues that plague older bath towels; snagging a new set will make your bathroom look and smell better. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026

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