botulinum

noun

bot·​u·​li·​num ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nəm 

variants or less commonly botulinus

ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nəs 

: a spore-forming bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) that secretes botulinum toxin

botulinal

ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nᵊl 

adjective

Examples of botulinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bacteria Clostridium botulinum are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than in any other part of a fish. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

Clostridium botulinum is a potentially fatal bacteria. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025

Related article Counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections linked to harmful reactions in nine states Botulism is a life-threatening condition caused by toxins made by Clostridium botulinum bacteria that attack the nervous system and cause paralysis. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 20 June 2025

The toxin produced by C. botulinum bacteria can also cause a range of symptoms including muscle weakness, blurry vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, paralysis and trouble breathing, which can lead to death. —Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin botulus sausage

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing botulinum

• botulinum toxin

Rhymes for botulinum

• linum
• minim

Medical Definition

botulinum

noun

bot·​u·​li·​num ˌbäch-ə-ˈlī-nəm 

variants also botulinus

-nəs 

: a spore-forming bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) that produces botulinum toxin

botulinal

-ˈlīn-ᵊl 

adjective