bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
bacterial infection
bacterially adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Back in June 2023, Madonna was forced to put her Celebration tour on hold after a serious bacterial infection hospitalized her in the intensive care unit for several days. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 These diseases include bacterial infections like campylobacter and salmonella and parasitic infections like cryptosporidium, giardia and tapeworm. Symptoms can include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 For most people, a Listeria infection will only cause mild symptoms; for others that are high-risk, the same bacterial infection can be serious or deadly. Brian Mastroianni, Health, 29 Feb. 2024 This type of bacterial infection can spread in the deer’s bloodstream and therefore hunters should not knowingly eat meat from a buck with brain abscess. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 29 Feb. 2024 Measles symptoms typically last 10 days, assuming patients don’t have severe complications, like swelling of the brain, pneumonia or secondary bacterial infections. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024 Those most vulnerable to the bacterial illness include pregnant people, those 65 and older and individuals with weakened immune systems. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2024 The rare but potentially deadly bacterial infection is commonly spread by kissing or sharing food. The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 These concerts were originally supposed to happen back in late September and early October, but were postponed after Madonna was hospitalized due to a bacterial infection. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bacterial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacterial was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near bacterial

Cite this Entry

“Bacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacterial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
a bacterial chromosome
bacterial infection
bacterial endocarditis
bacterially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bacterial

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