botulism

noun bot·u·lism \ ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of botulism

: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate

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Recent Examples of botulism from the Web

San Diego saw a cluster of four wound botulism cases in 2017 and five in 2010.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Wound botulism hospitalizes three black tar heroin users," 10 Apr. 2018
For instance, bacteria that cause cholera, botulism, and dysentery all do so with the help of toxins encoded by prophage.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Never-before-seen viruses that can kill bacteria stream from women’s bladders," 1 Feb. 2018
Higher air temperatures could increase cases of foodborne botulism if foods are not properly prepared and stored in a way that prevents them from spoiling.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska releases first detailed report on negative health impacts of climate change," 9 Jan. 2018
But untreated botulism poisoning shuts down the nervous system, including the regulation of breathing.

— deirdre shesgreen, Cincinnati.com, "How the body of Otto Warmbier changed U.S. foreign policy," 12 Dec. 2017
Sensible people, however, will see this move as a man who fingerpaints with botulism.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "What an Absolute Disaster," 5 Dec. 2017
American citizens have been barred from visiting North Korea apart from special circumstances since college student Otto Warmbier, who was detained by North Korean officials and then released back to the U.S. with botulism, died in June.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Dennis Rodman Is Talking About North Korea Again," 13 Dec. 2017
The proper treatment for botulism is an antitoxin, not a sleeping pill.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "Hamilton County coroner: No broken bones, no damaged teeth on Otto Warmbier," 27 Sep. 2017
Slurred speech, drooping eyelids, double vision, dry mouth and muscle weakness are among botulism's symptoms.

— sean rossman, USA TODAY, "'Death Wish' coffee recalled because it can literally kill you," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'botulism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of botulism

1896

in the meaning defined above

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BOTULISM Defined for English Language Learners

botulism

noun

Definition of botulism for English Language Learners

: a serious illness that is caused by eating food that has not been preserved correctly and that is filled with bacteria

Medical Dictionary

botulism

noun bot·u·lism \ ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm \

medical Definition of botulism

: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate — see botulinum toxin, limberneck

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botulism

Definition of botulism

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botulism

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botulism

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