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
Recent Examples on the Web
Cooking beef, pork, chicken or turkey to the proper minimum temperature kills most foodborne illness bacteria (salmonella, listeria, E. coli).
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
There was a 41% jump in food recalls due to possible contamination with salmonella, E. coli and listeria in 2024 compared with the year before, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
—Gretchen Eichenberg, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
The carrots were linked to an E. coli outbreak in 19 states that left 48 people ill and one person dead.19
How to Protect Yourself, According to Consumer Reports
Cook carrots to kill any lingering bacteria.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 27 May 2025
The lake has experienced issues with E. coli in some coves, and algal blooms can occur during hot summer months.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
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David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
There was a 41% jump in food recalls due to possible contamination with salmonella, E. coli and listeria in 2024 compared with the year before, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
—Gretchen Eichenberg, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
The carrots were linked to an E. coli outbreak in 19 states that left 48 people ill and one person dead.19
How to Protect Yourself, According to Consumer Reports
Cook carrots to kill any lingering bacteria.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 27 May 2025
The lake has experienced issues with E. coli in some coves, and algal blooms can occur during hot summer months.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
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 7 Jun. 2025.
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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