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
For reference, previous studies have shown that S. aureus and E. coli can survive on stainless steel surfaces for up to six and four weeks, respectively.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2025
The outlet reported that a harmful strain of E. coli bacteria sickened dozens and killed one across 15 states in November 2024.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Recalls tied to flour, baking mixes, and cereal products have steadily risen over the past decade, from salmonella in pancake mix to E. coli in all-purpose flour.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Environmental health personnel, on the other hand, deal with threats in the environment, whether that’s E. coli in restaurant food, germs in public swimming pools or extreme heat.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
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Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2025
The outlet reported that a harmful strain of E. coli bacteria sickened dozens and killed one across 15 states in November 2024.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Recalls tied to flour, baking mixes, and cereal products have steadily risen over the past decade, from salmonella in pancake mix to E. coli in all-purpose flour.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Environmental health personnel, on the other hand, deal with threats in the environment, whether that’s E. coli in restaurant food, germs in public swimming pools or extreme heat.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 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 1 May. 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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