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

Proper hygiene and food preparation practices can help reduce your risk of getting food poisoning. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Eating such foods raw or undercooked can lead to food poisoning, and handling them while having an open wound can provide an entry point for the bacteria to cause necrotizing fasciitis. — Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning, usually because of eating undercooked meat or contaminated raw food. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026

Ingesting Vibrio vulnificus can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and other symptoms of food poisoning. — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Aug. 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