E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: an enterobacterium (Escherichia coli) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness see enterobacterium illustration
Examples of E. coli in a Sentence
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Food recalls are familiar: an outbreak of E. coli or salmonella tied to a contaminated product, a handful of people sickened, a voluntary recall initiated and a public health system that quietly does its job.
—
Alexander Sundermann, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Following reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections linked to raw dairy products, Raw Farm has issued a voluntary recall notice for some of its products.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
One hospitalization involved hemolytic uremic syndrome (UHS), a very serious complication of E. coli infection that may lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems and death, per the CDC.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The Food and Drug Administration began investigating cases of E. coli food poisoning among people who had reportedly consumed the company’s products last month and previously requested a recall.
—CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
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Alexander Sundermann, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Following reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections linked to raw dairy products, Raw Farm has issued a voluntary recall notice for some of its products.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
One hospitalization involved hemolytic uremic syndrome (UHS), a very serious complication of E. coli infection that may lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems and death, per the CDC.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The Food and Drug Administration began investigating cases of E. coli food poisoning among people who had reportedly consumed the company’s products last month and previously requested a recall.
—CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for E. coli
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: a bacterium in the shape of a short rod that may cause intestinal illness
Etymology
short for Escherichia coli, the taxonomic name in biology
Medical Definition
E. coli
nounˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī
plural E. coli also E. colis
: a straight rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli of the family Enterobacteriaceae) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness marked especially by diarrhea
one million acid-resistant E. coli per gram of feces—John Schwartz
John Schwartzthis E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
Ed GeldreichLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
