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

Potential risks include botulism (a medical emergency), spread of the toxin beyond the injection site, drooping eyelids and other harmful reactions. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

But Peterson-Mayes said her body was already shutting down and she was diagnosed with botulism after she was transferred to the St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026

Illnesses caused by botulism bacteria in infant formula are rare, and the size and scope of the ByHeart outbreak is unprecedented, food safety experts said. —CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Today, nearly 1,500 families are part of the botulism program's parent network, which includes children treated two decades ago. —ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026

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