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

Also, by completely draining the fish of blood, the risk of bacterial growth is minimized and thus the source of the fishy odor is diminished too. —Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

STIs, bacterial infections, and UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 31 Aug. 2025

Researchers have shown that a gut-bacterial byproduct of eating red meat and other animal products is linked to the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms – particularly in older men. —New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025

It’s also treated with a botanic antimicrobial to minimize bacterial, mildew, and mold growth. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 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