enterococcus
noun
en·tero·coc·cus
ˌen-tə-rō-ˈkä-kəs 
plural enterococci
ˌen-tə-rō-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
: any of a genus (Enterococcus) of gram-positive bacteria that resemble streptococci and were formerly classified with them
especially
: a bacterium (E. faecalis) normally present in the intestine
Examples of enterococcus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to state law, the county’s environmental health department shoulders that responsibility and will continue posting notices if its own monitoring detects the presence of enterococcus bacteria in concentrations considered strong enough to increase the likelihood of infection.
—
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
An estimated 7,500 ocean, harbor and bay water samples were collected last year, with 22,500 analyses performed to determine the levels of three indicator bacteria used for compliance purposes – total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Heal the Bay monitors beaches along the California coast — testing water samples for fecal bacteria, including coliform, E. coli and enterococcus.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Types Cat probiotics typically contain lactic acid bacteria, including strains such as lactobacillus spp, enterococcus, streptococcus and bifidobacterium.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Experts say the levels of bacteria, primarily E. coli and enterococcus, fluctuate depending on the amount of rainfall and sunlight hitting the water.
—Alice Park / Paris, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
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Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
An estimated 7,500 ocean, harbor and bay water samples were collected last year, with 22,500 analyses performed to determine the levels of three indicator bacteria used for compliance purposes – total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Heal the Bay monitors beaches along the California coast — testing water samples for fecal bacteria, including coliform, E. coli and enterococcus.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Types Cat probiotics typically contain lactic acid bacteria, including strains such as lactobacillus spp, enterococcus, streptococcus and bifidobacterium.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Experts say the levels of bacteria, primarily E. coli and enterococcus, fluctuate depending on the amount of rainfall and sunlight hitting the water.
—Alice Park / Paris, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Enterococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterococcus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
enterococcus
noun
en·tero·coc·cus
-ˈkäk-əs
1
capitalized
: a genus of gram-positive bacteria that resemble streptococci and were formerly classified with them
2
enterococci
-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
plural
: any bacterium of the genus Enterococcus
-ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē
plural
: any bacterium of the genus Enterococcus
especially
: one (E. faecalis) normally present in the intestine
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