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
While most coliform bacteria do not cause illness, some rare strains of E. coli, a type of coliform bacteria can lead to serious illness, according to New York's Department of Health.
—
Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Both pathogens are leading causes of foodborne illness in the U.S. E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Green tea also blocks E. coli from forming a biofilm, which is a slimy, protective shield that bacteria create to stick together and resist treatment.8
Green tea may also help certain antibiotics, like amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin, work better.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Drinking water is safe, but bacteria such as E. coli are present in the floodwaters, authorities said.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
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Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Both pathogens are leading causes of foodborne illness in the U.S. E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Green tea also blocks E. coli from forming a biofilm, which is a slimy, protective shield that bacteria create to stick together and resist treatment.8
Green tea may also help certain antibiotics, like amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin, work better.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Drinking water is safe, but bacteria such as E. coli are present in the floodwaters, authorities said.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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