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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Produce that is served fresh can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
The unfortunate truth is that blueberries can carry all sorts of unwanted guests, from dirt and debris, tiny bugs like aphids or fruit flies, pesticide residue, bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, mold spores, and even parasites.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Research shows that supplementing with probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus strains, can improve vaginal and urinary health by restoring beneficial bacteria and preventing harmful bacteria like E. coli from attaching to and colonizing these areas.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The resulting abundance of flies could then carry and spread diseases like botulism, anthrax, E. coli, and Salmonella.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
The unfortunate truth is that blueberries can carry all sorts of unwanted guests, from dirt and debris, tiny bugs like aphids or fruit flies, pesticide residue, bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, mold spores, and even parasites.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Research shows that supplementing with probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus strains, can improve vaginal and urinary health by restoring beneficial bacteria and preventing harmful bacteria like E. coli from attaching to and colonizing these areas.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The resulting abundance of flies could then carry and spread diseases like botulism, anthrax, E. coli, and Salmonella.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
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 23 May. 2025.
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
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