listeria
noun
lis·te·ria
li-ˈstir-ē-ə 
plural listeria
: any of a genus (Listeria) of small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (Listeria monocytogenes) that causes listeriosis
A common germ found in many foods from raw vegetables to hot dogs, listeria can cause a sometimes fatal disease called listeriosis when present in large quantities.—
Amy Barrett
Amy Barrett
also
: a disease or sickness caused by infection with this bacterium : listeriosis
Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. —Sierra Brown
Sierra Brown 
Examples of listeria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Frozen fruit recall:Products sold at Aldi, Target and Trader possible for listeria More:Detroit ranks as No. 1 city for its burger passion AlTayeb in Garden City is at 873 Inkster Road and is open 8-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 8 a.m.-4 Sun.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 25 June 2023
Trending News Peaches, plums, nectarines recalled due to deadly listeria outbreak
When could mortgage rates fall in 2024?
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2023
Three people were dead and two others have survived after suffering severe infections from listeria in Washington state, health officials said in a report posted Friday.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 23 July 2023
Thousands of pounds of Don Miguel frozen burritos have been recalled for possible listeria contamination.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 22 Oct. 2023
Two cases of listeria have been reported, one in Pennsylvania and one in New York, according to the CDC.
—Kate Perez, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2023
Eating foods contaminated with listeria can lead to fever and flu-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Hojun Choi, Dallas News, 23 June 2023
Listeria symptoms People who eat food contaminated with listeria can develop listeriosis.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
Three people are dead and three others were hospitalized after drinking milkshakes sold at a Washington restaurant that were contaminated with listeria bacteria, health officials said.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
See More
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 25 June 2023
Trending News Peaches, plums, nectarines recalled due to deadly listeria outbreak
When could mortgage rates fall in 2024?
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2023
Three people were dead and two others have survived after suffering severe infections from listeria in Washington state, health officials said in a report posted Friday.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 23 July 2023
Thousands of pounds of Don Miguel frozen burritos have been recalled for possible listeria contamination.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 22 Oct. 2023
Two cases of listeria have been reported, one in Pennsylvania and one in New York, according to the CDC.
—Kate Perez, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2023
Eating foods contaminated with listeria can lead to fever and flu-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Hojun Choi, Dallas News, 23 June 2023
Listeria symptoms People who eat food contaminated with listeria can develop listeriosis.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
Three people are dead and three others were hospitalized after drinking milkshakes sold at a Washington restaurant that were contaminated with listeria bacteria, health officials said.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listeria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near listeria
Cite this Entry
“Listeria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeria. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
listeria
noun
lis·te·ria
lis-ˈtir-ē-ə
1
capitalized
: a genus of small gram-positive flagellated rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (L. monocytogenes) causing listeriosis
2
: any bacterium of the genus Listeria
called also listerella
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share