bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

bacterial infection

bacterially

bak-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Various bacterial strains are considered probiotic, and researchers are still learning which strains, at what CFU levels, are helpful for which conditions. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2026

Vaccines recommended for high-risk groups are shots for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue and two types of bacterial meningitis. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026

This prevents condensation buildup, which can lead to bacterial growth and freezer burn. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Scientists have discovered 26 new bacterial species that survived the extreme sterilization protocols of NASA cleanrooms during the assembly of the Phoenix Mars Lander at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bacterial

• bacterial vaginosis

Rhymes for bacterial

• arterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• cereal
• virial

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

a bacterial chromosome

bacterial infection

bacterial endocarditis

bacterially

-ə-lē 

adverb