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

Some molds produce mycotoxins, toxic substances that can cause food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

Carbon dioxide poisoning can even be missed even by medical teams in emergency settings because symptoms so closely mimic food poisoning or viral illnesses, said Hampton. —Cathy Nelson, Health, 11 Apr. 2025

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger did not start in the team’s game against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday due to food poisoning. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Authorities were also looking into food poisoning after Miller’s family reported feeling ill after eating at a nearby restaurant the night before. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 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