Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

klebsiella

American  
[kleb-zee-el-uh, klep-see-] / ˌklɛb ziˈɛl ə, ˌklɛp si- /

noun

Bacteriology.

  1. any of several rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Klebsiella, certain species of which, as K. pneumoniae, are found in the respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts of humans and animals and are sometimes pathogenic.

klebsiella British  
/ ˌklɛbzɪˈɛlə /

noun

  1. a Gram-negative bacteria found in the respiratory, intestinal, and urinogenital tracts of humans and animals, which can cause pneumonia and urinary infections

"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 klebsiella

First recorded in 1925–30; from New Latin; named after E. Klebs; -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.

Doctors found klebsiella, a multi-drug-resistant pathogen, in his body.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.