How to Use bacteria in a Sentence

bacteria

noun
Definition of bacterianext
  • The landmark system removed 95% of the bacteria from the city’s sewage and 90% of the solids.
    — Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024
  • Sequencing done in the UK shows there has been no abrupt change in the bacteria.
    — Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2022
  • The only caveat is if bacteria get trapped in the skin while peeing.
    — Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
  • Gros said the bacteria are not abundant in the mangroves.
    — Sumeet Kulkarni, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022
  • These are a group of viruses that are known to infect bacteria.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023
  • Stains and bacteria have met their match in Shark's now-$70 Steam Pocket Mop.
    — Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Oct. 2023
  • Just be sure to clean your eyelash curler after each use to rid of any bacteria.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2022
  • The main types present in dairy are: Lactic acid bacteria: These friendly microbes are the workhorses of the dairy world.
    — Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Feb. 2024
  • The tooth decay that leads to cavities occurs when the bacteria in your mouth form a sticky plaque on your teeth.
    — Tammy Davenport, Verywell Health, 28 May 2024
  • Some boiled it first over open flames; others left glass jars in the sun, hoping that the summer heat would kill bacteria.
    — Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022
  • This later crop is a legume that with the help of soil bacteria removes nitrogen from the air for plant growth.
    — Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
  • And the reason sours are some of the most ancient beers in the brewer’s compendium comes down to what most beer comes down to: bacteria.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022
  • The bacteria spores are harmful to many types of caterpillars.
    — Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 4 Feb. 2023
  • At first, doctors didn’t believe that bacteria could live in the stomach at all.
    — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2023
  • And yet, all the while, humble bacteria in the dirt are fixing nitrogen all day long.
    — Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
  • Most bacteria are microscopic, but this one is so big it can be seen with the naked eye.
    — Christina Larson, ajc, 23 June 2022
  • For one, lettuce is consumed raw, so there's no heat to kill bacteria.
    — Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022
  • The extreme rain events and very warm periods this year have favored the bacteria.
    — Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023
  • The downfall is it's made of plastic, which can harbor bacteria and lead to cat acne.
    — Medea Giordano, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Low scores for bacteria in the water and flood prevention, a high score for beach access.
    — Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024
  • Press the button again to use the red light for your gums, which claims to reduce negative bacteria and support healthy gums.
    — Marielle Marlys, Good Housekeeping, 15 June 2022
  • And there’s been research showing those bacteria can impact our health outside of the mouth.
    — Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2023
  • The colonies of bacteria, called biofloc, now stay suspended in the water keeping it clean and balancing the food sources.
    — Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2022
  • This makes the bottom shelves the best spot to keep raw meat cold, which is vital to keeping it fresh and avoiding harmful bacteria growth.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2024
  • Many bacteria and viruses need to live around or inside your cells to survive.
    — Zoie Magri, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023
  • For more than 3 billion years, bacteria have been evolving and have learned to change themselves to survive.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 July 2023
  • Look for a pair with anti-odor technology, which helps stave off the bacteria that create those funky smells in the first place.
    — Mike Richard, Men's Health, 20 Dec. 2022
  • The rash could be caused by a fungus or bacteria, which may require a prescription cream.
    — Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 21 Sep. 2022
  • Wash them daily with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher to prevent bacteria and germs and keep them sanitary for your precious pet.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In the gut, alcohol intake promotes dysbiosis, or an imbalance between good and bad bacteria.
    — Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 8 Jan. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bacteria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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