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

The countries are then ranked based on the cleanliness of their swimming waters using data gathered in rigorous annual assessments that monitor bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Now, researchers have developed biofilm-blasting bots that could handily deal with these, and other, bacterial infections. —New Atlas, 30 June 2025

Peaches are susceptible to several diseases, including peach leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial spot, and peach scab, as well as plum curculio and other pests. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

The outlet reported that Fenty's death certificate listed acute respiratory failure, pancreatic cancer and aspiration pneumonia, a bacterial lung infection. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 26 June 2025

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