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

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

Examples of listeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that time, the listeria contamination had been reported 26 times in 11 states over the past 10 years. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024

Sargento’s move comes a month after Rizo-Lopez recalled dozens of dairy products over concerns of possible listeria contamination. —Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

Last month, Trader Joe's recalled a frozen pilaf mix earlier this and a group of its products that contain cotija cheese and could have listeria contamination. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024

Dozens of dairy products are being recalled for possible listeria contamination after they were distributed nationwide to retailers like Trader Joe's and Costco. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

What company recalling products due to possible listeria contamination? —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024

Were any foods possibly contaminated with listeria sold in Kentucky? —John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 12 Feb. 2024

If an ingredient supplier’s facility has a listeria problem, then each of the supplier’s customers could have a listeria problem. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024

Consuming the bacteria can lead to a listeria infection, which causes fever, chills, nausea and diarrhea. —USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

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

listerial

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective