E. coli

[ ee-koh-lahy ]

nounBacteriology.

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

Origin of E. coli

See Escherichia coli

See also facultative (def. 4).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use E. coli in a sentence

While Congress fights over Obamacare, Colorado may be suffering an e-coli outbreak.
The Key to Being a Leader During Crisis? Break the Rules | Eleanor Clift | October 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
We also follow Listeria and toxin-producing bugs like E. coli O157:H7—the “raw hamburger” bug.
Be Afraid of Your Food: An Epidemiologist’s Sensible Advice | Amanda Kludt | March 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
But E. coli O157, which is found in the intestines of cattle, is still the most common.
Be Afraid of Your Food: An Epidemiologist’s Sensible Advice | Amanda Kludt | March 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
So now we can go back to worrying about salmonella and E. coli.
10 Shocking Facts About Mad Cow Disease | | April 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Salmonella, E. coli, Mad Cow Hardly a month goes by without news of a meat recall due to bacteria.
Meat Glue, Pink Slime, Health Risks & More Reasons to Never Eat Meat | The Daily Beast | March 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

Just yesterday, our food safety plan took effect, using new science to protect consumers from dangers like E. coli and salmonella.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for E. coli

E. coli

/ (ˌiːˈkəʊlaɪ) /

noun

short for Escherichia coli; see Escherichia

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

Scientific definitions for E. coli

E. coli

[ ē kō′lī ]

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.

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