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
Some wildlife and livestock may also spread E. coli to food and food crops.
—
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
It can be caused by viruses such as the norovirus, bacteria such as E. coli, parasites including giardia, and certain medicines or toxins.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 27 July 2025
South Shore beach has had a number of water quality issues, including high E. coli levels.
—Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 27 July 2025
To be considered safe for swimming, the E. coli counts must be below 300 per 100 milliliters.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for E. coli
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
It can be caused by viruses such as the norovirus, bacteria such as E. coli, parasites including giardia, and certain medicines or toxins.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 27 July 2025
South Shore beach has had a number of water quality issues, including high E. coli levels.
—Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 27 July 2025
To be considered safe for swimming, the E. coli counts must be below 300 per 100 milliliters.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 25 July 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 6 Aug. 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
Share