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

The group realized food poisoning was the likely cause. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Most people recover within a few days, but in rare cases, food poisoning can be fatal. —Amanda Heidt, Scientific American, 18 June 2025

There’s nothing more annoying than the persistent buzz of a fly indoors, not to mention the fact that some flies can transmit pathogens that cause serious illnesses such as food poisoning, cholera, and dysentery.1 Bottom line: Flies are never a good thing inside our homes. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 June 2025

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

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