Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

coliform

adjective co·li·form \ ˈkō-lə-ˌfȯrm , ˈkä- \

Definition of coliform

: of, relating to, or being gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (such as E. coli) normally present in the intestine
  • monitored coliform levels in drinking water
—

coliform

noun

First Known Use of coliform

1906

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

coliform

adjective co·li·form \ ˈkō-lə-ˌfȯrm, ˈkäl-ə- \

medical Definition of coliform

: of, relating to, or being gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (such as E. coli) normally present in the intestine
  • monitored coliform levels in drinking water
—

coliform

noun
    • Fecal coliforms can include disease-causing organisms, such as some strains of E. coli, which produces severe diarrhea.
    • —Consumer Reports,  February 1992

Learn More about coliform

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coliform

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up coliform? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

declivity

play

a downward inclination or slope

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  2. uphold 'to let stand'

  3. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

  4. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  5. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

coliform

Test Your Vocabulary

Obscure Shapes

  • a-pile-of-three-dimensional-shapes-in-green
  • Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games