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  • Legionella
    Legionella
    noun
    a genus of rod- or coccus-shaped aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, certain species of which, as L. pneumophila, produce legionnaires' disease.
  • legionella
    legionella
    noun
    any Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Legionella, including L. pneumophila, which causes legionnaire's disease

Legionella

American  
[lee-juh-nel-uh] / ˌli dʒəˈnɛl ə /

noun

  1. a genus of rod- or coccus-shaped aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, certain species of which, as L. pneumophila, produce legionnaires' disease.


legionella British  
/ ˌliːdʒəˈnɛlə /

noun

  1. any Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Legionella, including L. pneumophila, which causes legionnaire's disease

"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

Etymology

Origin of Legionella

< New Latin (1979), after legionnaires' disease; see -ella

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

And in 2022, health investigators uncovered the likely source of 17 Legionella infections in Napa County — all of whom either lived, worked or had visited downtown Napa.

From Los Angeles Times May 18, 2026

Legionella can grow and spread in devices such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, complex plumbing systems, showerheads, sink faucets and decorative fountains, according to the California Department of Public Health.

From Los Angeles Times May 18, 2026

Investigators found high levels of Legionella bacteria in a cooling tower at what was then the Embassy Suites Napa Valley on California Boulevard, Napa County health officials said.

From Los Angeles Times May 18, 2026

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection most commonly contracted through the inhalation of water droplets containing Legionella bacteria.

From BBC Jun. 21, 2025

Following her diagnosis, the Greek health ministry issued a statement to hoteliers in Crete to "raise awareness among all those involved in monitoring the quality of water for human consumption especially with regard to Legionella".

From BBC Jun. 21, 2025

The opening of a new £41m Sussex health centre has been delayed after inspectors found legionella bacterium in the heating system.

From BBC Feb. 21, 2025

Legionnaires' disease, caused by the legionella bacteria, can result in a severe form of pneumonia.

From Reuters Sep. 14, 2023

Lowering the hot water temperature too much can allow the growth of bacteria, including legionella.

From BBC Oct. 3, 2022

Flint's water also contained trihalomethane, a carcinogen, as well as dangerous E. coli and legionella bacteria.

From Salon Nov. 26, 2021

St. Elizabeths Hospital in Southeast Washington had been without potable water since legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, was found during routine testing Sept. 26.

From Washington Post Oct. 23, 2019

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