listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə 

plural listeria

: any of a genus (Listeria) of small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (Listeria monocytogenes) that causes listeriosis

A common germ found in many foods from raw vegetables to hot dogs, listeria can cause a sometimes fatal disease called listeriosis when present in large quantities.

—Amy Barrett

also : a disease or sickness caused by infection with this bacterium : listeriosis

Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

—Sierra Brown

Examples of listeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report cited major recalls and outbreaks of 2024, such as the deadly listeria outbreak attributed to Boar's Head meats and the McDonald's E. coli outbreak linked to the onions on some of its burgers. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025

The recall was initiated after samples collected from a store in Buffalo, New York, revealed the presence of listeria monocytogenes in some of the packages, according to the FDA. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Key Takeaways Frozen supplement shakes sold to hospitals and long-term care facilities were recalled because of potential listeria contamination. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2025

Even among healthy people, a listeria infection can lead to symptoms including high fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for listeria

• arteria
• bacteria
• criteria
• diphtheria
• egeria
• neisseria
• wisteria
• cafeteria
• cyanobacteria
• mycobacteria

Medical Definition

listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of small gram-positive flagellated rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (L. monocytogenes) causing listeriosis

2

: any bacterium of the genus Listeria

called also listerella

listerial

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective