salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈne-lə 

plural salmonellae ˌsal-mə-ˈne-(ˌ)lē 

-ˌlī

or salmonellas or salmonella

: any of a genus (Salmonella) of usually motile enterobacteria that are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded animals and cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal inflammation, typhoid fever, or septicemia

Examples of salmonella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies of flies found on dairy farms and cattle ranches have shown that these insects are major spreaders of pathogens like salmonella, Moraxella bovis (pinkeye), and spreadable pathogens of bovine respiratory disease. —Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026

The obstetrician-gynecologist also noted that pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the worst effects of salmonella, as well as elderly people. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Adults older than 65, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid egg coffee because raw eggs pose a salmonella risk. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Raw milk and products made from it have been associated with outbreaks of multiple type of bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter and listeria. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Daniel E. Salmon †1914 American veterinarian

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for salmonella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• trichinella

Kids Definition

salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈnel-ə 

plural salmonellae -ˈnel-ē 

-ˌī

or salmonellas or salmonella

: any of a genus of rod-shaped bacteria that cause various illnesses (as food poisoning) in human beings and other warm-blooded animals

Medical Definition

salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈnel-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of aerobic gram-negative rod-shaped nonspore-forming usually motile bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that grow well on artificial media and form acid and gas on many carbohydrates but not on lactose, sucrose, or salicin, that are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded animals, and that cause food poisoning, acute gastrointestinal inflammation, typhoid fever, and septicemia

2

plural salmonellae -ˈnel-ē  or salmonellas or salmonella : any bacterium of the genus Salmonella