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

Alcaraz struggled to break down his fresher opponent who had to pull out of his Monte Carlo opener last week after a bout of food poisoning. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Sadie Robertson is recovering from a bout of food poisoning about halfway through her pregnancy. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The meal had barely started before guests started bolting to the bathroom from an apparent wave of food poisoning that multiple attendees later concluded started with the roasted Brussels sprouts that Pino brought to the party. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025

And later that evening, guests started experiencing symptoms of food poisoning. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 Apr. 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