botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm 
: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate
Examples of botulism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People who experience symptoms matching those of botulism should seek medical attention immediately.
—
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s Canned tuna: Potential foodborne illness of botulism.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025
The clostridium botulinum bacteria is responsible for a disease called botulism, a paralyzing disease affecting the body's nervous system, reported the USDA.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025
In the United States, a growing cluster of botulism cases linked to cosmetic injections was reported in Massachusetts earlier this month.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for botulism
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.
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s Canned tuna: Potential foodborne illness of botulism.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025
The clostridium botulinum bacteria is responsible for a disease called botulism, a paralyzing disease affecting the body's nervous system, reported the USDA.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025
In the United States, a growing cluster of botulism cases linked to cosmetic injections was reported in Massachusetts earlier this month.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for botulism
Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: poisoning caused by eating food containing a toxin made by a spore-forming bacterium
Medical Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate see botulinum toxin, limberneck
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share