coliform

American  

[kol-uh-fawrm, koh-luh-] / ˈkɒl əˌfɔrm, ˈkoʊ lə- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a coliform bacillus.

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noun

1. coliform bacillus.

Etymology

Origin of coliform

1850–55; < New Latin coli, genitive of Latin colum, colon colon ² (the specific epithet of various species of bacteria inhabiting the colon, as Escherichia coli; construed as col- + -i- ) + -form

Example Sentences

However, testing showed that among the 11 water sources examined, bottled water was the most likely to contain coliform bacteria, which signal fecal contamination.

From Science Daily

Despite being widely trusted, bottled water was six times more likely to test positive for coliform bacteria than other water sources.

From Science Daily

Many of the violations were for unsafe levels of arsenic or coliform bacteria.

From Los Angeles Times

Heal the Bay monitors beaches along the California coast — testing water samples for fecal bacteria, including coliform, E. coli and enterococcus.

From Los Angeles Times

Federal prosecutors said that water testing and monitoring around the spill found “exceedances of applicable water quality standards for total coliform bacteria, E. coli, and Enterococcus,” the latter being another type of bacteria that can contaminate waterways.

From Los Angeles Times