Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

listeria

American  
[li-steer-ee-uh] / lɪˈstɪər i ə /

noun

Bacteriology.
  1. any of several rod-shaped, aerobic, parasitic bacteria of the genus Listeria, pathogenic for humans and animals.


listeria British  
/ lɪsˈtɪərɪə /

noun

  1. any rodlike Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Listeria , esp L. monocytogenes , the cause of listeriosis

"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

Other Word Forms

  • listerial adjective

Etymology

Origin of listeria

1960–65; < New Latin, named after J. Lister; -ia

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.

Four people have been diagnosed with sepsis after eating at a luxury restaurant in Stockholm as part of a suspected listeria outbreak.

From BBC

Fresh & Ready Foods voluntarily recalled several premade sandwiches and snacks after federal regulators found a strain of listeria linked to a 2024 outbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

Member’s Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Packs from Sam’s Club have been recalled due to potential listeria contamination.

From Salon

Some potted coriander plants and a hummus product have been recalled in Northern Ireland due to the possible presence of listeria.

From BBC

Listeria infections are especially serious for anyone who is pregnant, as a listeria infection during pregnancy can cause a patient to miscarry, deliver a stillbirth, or deliver the baby early.

From Los Angeles Times