salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈne-lə 

plural salmonellae ˌsal-mə-ˈne-(ˌ)lē 

-ˌlī

or salmonellas or salmonella

: any of a genus (Salmonella) of usually motile enterobacteria that are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded animals and cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal inflammation, typhoid fever, or septicemia

Examples of salmonella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company initially issued a voluntary recall for its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar in January after the possible salmonella contamination was identified by routine third-party testing. —James Powel, USA Today, 10 May 2026

Certain batches of Giant Eagle Baked Pita Chips with Parmesan, Garlic and Herb have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination, according to a press release from the Food and Drug Administration. —Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 8 May 2026

The last week of recalls and a USDA public health alert all ripple from California Dairies recall of dry milk powder over salmonella concerns. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

The move comes after Utz was alerted that a flavor seasoning containing dry milk powder (supplied by a third-party carrier) could be contaminated with salmonella. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Daniel E. Salmon †1914 American veterinarian

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for salmonella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• trichinella

Kids Definition

salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈnel-ə 

plural salmonellae -ˈnel-ē 

-ˌī

or salmonellas or salmonella

: any of a genus of rod-shaped bacteria that cause various illnesses (as food poisoning) in human beings and other warm-blooded animals

Medical Definition

salmonella

noun

sal·​mo·​nel·​la ˌsal-mə-ˈnel-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of aerobic gram-negative rod-shaped nonspore-forming usually motile bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that grow well on artificial media and form acid and gas on many carbohydrates but not on lactose, sucrose, or salicin, that are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded animals, and that cause food poisoning, acute gastrointestinal inflammation, typhoid fever, and septicemia

2

plural salmonellae -ˈnel-ē  or salmonellas or salmonella : any bacterium of the genus Salmonella