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
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
Sierra Brown Examples of listeria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in the fall of 2024 that the listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head products from the Virginia facility had ended.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
This listeria outbreak is about more than just one contaminated product.is about more than just one contaminated product.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Frozen shakes served in nursing homes and hospitals have been recalled after being linked to a listeria outbreak, that has caused 11 deaths and 38 illnesses across 21 states.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
In Aldi's case, two recalls were initiated because of fears that the product could be contaminated with E.coli or listeria.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
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Addy Bink, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
This listeria outbreak is about more than just one contaminated product.is about more than just one contaminated product.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Frozen shakes served in nursing homes and hospitals have been recalled after being linked to a listeria outbreak, that has caused 11 deaths and 38 illnesses across 21 states.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
In Aldi's case, two recalls were initiated because of fears that the product could be contaminated with E.coli or listeria.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listeria
Cite this Entry
“Listeria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeria. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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