E. coli

[ ee koh-lahy ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

1. Escherichia coli: a species of rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the large intestine of humans and other animals, sometimes pathogenic.

E. coli

/ ˌiːˈkəʊlaɪ /

noun

1. short for Escherichia coli; see Escherichia

E. coli

/ ēkō′lī /

1. A bacillus (Escherichia coli) normally found in the human gastrointestinal tract and occurring in numerous strains, some of which are responsible for diarrheal diseases. Other strains have important experimental uses in molecular biology.

Word History and Origins

Origin of E. coli¹

See Escherichia coli ( def )

Example Sentences

While Congress fights over Obamacare, Colorado may be suffering an e-coli outbreak.

From The Daily Beast

We also follow Listeria and toxin-producing bugs like E. coli O157:H7—the “raw hamburger” bug.

From The Daily Beast

But E. coli O157, which is found in the intestines of cattle, is still the most common.

From The Daily Beast

So now we can go back to worrying about salmonella and E. coli.

From The Daily Beast

Salmonella, E. coli, Mad Cow   Hardly a month goes by without news of a meat recall due to bacteria.

From The Daily Beast

Just yesterday, our food safety plan took effect, using new science to protect consumers from dangers like e. coli and salmonella.

From Project Gutenberg