botulism

bot·u·lism | \ ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm

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

Examples of botulism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Popular Science, "Can you get too much Botox?," 1 Oct. 2020 In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Popular Science, "Can you get too much Botox?," 1 Oct. 2020 In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Popular Science, "Can you get too much Botox?," 1 Oct. 2020 In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Popular Science, "Can you get too much Botox?," 1 Oct. 2020 In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Popular Science, "Can you get too much Botox?," 1 Oct. 2020 That’s still not in my wheelhouse, thanks to a phobia that took root after writing about botulism in 1979. — Mary Bergin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Breakfast salads, vegetable desserts: A year in a CSA changes her meal plan, fills her freezer," 29 Sep. 2020 In large amounts, these chemicals can cause botulism, an illness that may produce nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal paralysis of vital muscles. — Matthew J. Lin, The Conversation, "Can you have too much Botox?," 28 Sep. 2020 By noon each day, the rescue teams have often filled their crates with birds in various stages of botulism poisoning. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Inside Klamath Refuge’s ‘Duck Hospital’: Crews save 2,000 birds infected with avian botulism," 1 Sep. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

3 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 5 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for botulism

botulism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of botulism

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

See the full definition for botulism in the English Language Learners 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