E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: an enterobacterium (Escherichia coli) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness see enterobacterium illustration
Examples of E. coli in a Sentence
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Related article McDonald’s has temporarily stopped selling espresso drinks at some US locations
The chain had been making some progress before an E. coli outbreak in October caused sales and traffic to nosedive.
—
Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Which carrot brands are part of the recall over E. coli concerns?
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
More than 100,000 pounds of ground beef are being recalled due to possibly being contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. government said this week.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
Organic carrots and celery sold at Whole Foods Market in five states are being recalled amid a deadly E. coli outbreak that has stricken 39 people in 18 states.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
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Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Which carrot brands are part of the recall over E. coli concerns?
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
More than 100,000 pounds of ground beef are being recalled due to possibly being contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. government said this week.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
Organic carrots and celery sold at Whole Foods Market in five states are being recalled amid a deadly E. coli outbreak that has stricken 39 people in 18 states.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: a bacterium in the shape of a short rod that may cause intestinal illness
Etymology
short for Escherichia coli, the taxonomic name in biology
Medical Definition
E. coli
nounˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī
plural E. coli also E. colis
: a straight rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli of the family Enterobacteriaceae) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness marked especially by diarrhea
one million acid-resistant E. coli per gram of feces—John Schwartz
John Schwartzthis E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
Ed GeldreichLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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