E. coli

[ ee koh-lahy ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

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

E. coli

/ ˌiːˈkəʊlaɪ /

noun

1. short for Escherichia coli; see Escherichia

E. coli

/ ēkō′lī /

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of E. coli¹

See Escherichia coli ( def )

Example Sentences

The E. coli cases were reported between Sept. 6 and Oct.

From Salon

Organic walnuts sickened consumers in 19 states with E. coli infections in April.

From Los Angeles Times

Organic and baby carrots sold at grocery stores across the US have been recalled after an E. coli outbreak that has killed one person.

From BBC

He added that E. coli levels were "way" above that permitted for safe bathing.

From BBC

Testing conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture found that samples of the beef tested negative for E. coli, USA Today reported.

From Salon