food poisoning

noun

: an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food

Examples of food poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How to Safely Prep Your Watermelon Following a few simple steps when handling and cutting watermelon can help reduce the risk of food poisoning. —Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025

To prevent Salmonella food poisoning, refrigerate your eggs, cook them well, never eat them raw and clean, clean, clean By Mark Fischetti edited by Dean Visser Join Our Community of Science Lovers! —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 9 June 2025

And last year, the Columbus Crew looked like a shadow of themselves in a 3-0 defeat to CF Pachuca, with reports later contending the MLS side had dealt with food poisoning in the run-up to the match. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Fluids Dehydration is the most common symptom of food poisoning. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

food poisoning

noun

: a digestive sickness caused by bacteria or by chemicals in food

Medical Definition

food poisoning

noun

1

: either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products:

a

: a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci)

b

: a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellae that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food

2

: a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption