botulism

noun

bot·​u·​lism ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm 

: 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

Without proper sealing, the company said, there’s a risk of food leaking or contamination with Clostridium botulinum, or botulism. —Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

People who experience symptoms matching those of botulism should seek medical attention immediately. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s Canned tuna: Potential foodborne illness of botulism. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025

The clostridium botulinum bacteria is responsible for a disease called botulism, a paralyzing disease affecting the body's nervous system, reported the USDA. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for botulism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

botulism

noun

bot·​u·​lism ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm 

: poisoning caused by eating food containing a toxin made by a spore-forming bacterium

Medical Definition

botulism

noun

bot·​u·​lism ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm 

: 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