clostridium

American  

[klo-strid-ee-uhm] / klɒˈstrɪd i əm /

noun

Bacteriology.

clostridia plural

1. any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

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clostridium British  

/ klɒˈstrɪdɪəm /

noun

1. any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium , occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae . The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• clostridial
  adjective
• clostridian
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clostridia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of clostridium

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle ( klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein ( see Clotho) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium -idium

Example Sentences

The New York company said in a statement that so far its product had not tested positive for the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

In November 2025, all ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products were recalled for possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that causes botulism, an extremely deadly illness.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

In an earlier study, the team showed that Clostridium sporogenes could be genetically altered to better withstand oxygen.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

Within months, outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium difficile, and E. coli are observed in patients around the world.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson