botulism

American

[boch-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈbɒtʃ əˌlɪz əm /

noun

Pathology.

a sometimes fatal disease of the nervous system acquired from spoiled foods in which botulin is present, especially improperly canned or marinated foods.

botulism British

/ ˈbɒtjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

severe poisoning from ingestion of botulin, which affects the central nervous system producing difficulty in swallowing, visual disturbances, and respiratory paralysis: often fatal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

botulism Scientific

/ bŏch′ə-lĭz′əm /

A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by eating food infected with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which produces botulinum toxin. The bacterium grows in food that has been improperly preserved.

botulism Cultural

A severe form of food poisoning, often fatal if not treated quickly. Botulism is caused by a kind of bacterium that produces a toxin, and it is sometimes present in improperly canned or preserved foods.

Etymology

Origin of botulism

1875–80; < German Botulismus, equivalent to Latin botul(us ) sausage (a source of botulin toxin) + -ismus -ism

Vocabulary lists containing botulism

Excerpt from "If You Are What You Eat, Then What Am I?"

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Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

botulism

Warm, still water holds less oxygen, creating the conditions in which botulism thrives and speeding up the growth of E. coli.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Keane said the animals were predominantly found with E. coli and botulism, and that the most stagnant stretch was within the locks around Boston Manor Park.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

In February, the CDC confirmed 28 infant botulism and 20 cases of probable infant botulism linked to the formula.

From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2026

At least five families say their babies were treated for infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula months before a current outbreak was detected, California health officials say.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026