food poisoning

noun

1. an acute gastrointestinal condition characterized by such symptoms as headache, fever, chills, abdominal and muscular pain, nausea, diarrhea, and prostration, caused by foods that are naturally toxic, as poisonous mushrooms, by vegetable foods that are chemically contaminated, as by insecticides, or by bacteria or their toxins, especially of the genus Salmonella.

food poisoning

noun

1. an acute illness typically characterized by gastrointestinal inflammation, vomiting, and diarrhoea, caused by food that is either naturally poisonous or contaminated by pathogenic bacteria (esp Salmonella )

food poisoning

1. An acute gastrointestinal disorder characterized by vomiting and diarrhea, caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, usually of the genus Salmonella or the genus Staphylococcus , which produces a toxin.

food poisoning

1. Illnesses that arise from eating food contaminated with pathogenic or toxic ( see toxins ) substances. Characterized by vomiting and diarrhea , food poisoning is often caused by bacteria , such as salmonella or staphylococci . ( See botulism .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of food poisoning¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Last week, a former colleague told me about the time her phone reminded her of “the worst weekend of her life,” when she attended a remote wedding and came down with food poisoning.

From Slate

After eating a chicken pastry at an unrelated establishment displaying a five-star rating, she became severely ill with what a doctor said was food poisoning.

From BBC

Lizzi Jordan is making her Paralympic debut for GB seven years after losing her sight, and almost her life, from suspected food poisoning.

From BBC

“Tonight’s TLC performance has been canceled due to T-Boz experiencing symptoms related to food poisoning,” the fair announced Friday on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

A day later, TLC shed more light on its reasons for canceling the state fair gig, denying that T-Boz had food poisoning.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• botulism
• salmonella