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

Less than 10 miles into the journey to the hospital, the discomfort she was dismissed as bad food poisoning intensified into contractions. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026

Someone who gets hives or has gastrointestinal distress irregularly might not identify their dinner as the trigger of the symptoms, or might assume food poisoning. —Eva Flowe may 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

What are the symptoms of rotavirus The symptoms of rotavirus are a lot like those of noroviruses or food poisoning— severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain, the CDC said. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026

Lasagne gate in 2006, where food poisoning played a part in Tottenham missing out on Champions League qualification, the 4-3 encounter at Upton Park in West Ham’s 2006-07 great escape season. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 24 May 2026

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