Legionella

American

[lee-juh-nel-uh] / ˌli dʒəˈnɛl ə /

noun

a genus of rod- or coccus-shaped aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, certain species of which, as L. pneumophila, produce legionnaires' disease.

legionella British

/ ˌliːdʒəˈnɛlə /

noun

any Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Legionella, including L. pneumophila, which causes legionnaire's disease

"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 Legionella

< New Latin (1979), after legionnaires' disease; see -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.

The vessel's first 39 residents were also evacuated in August after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2023

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2023

People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water or accidentally swallow water containing Legionella into their lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2023

Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2023

Those tests confirmed Legionella was found in restrooms, a break room and shower areas in locker rooms.

From Washington Times • Oct. 18, 2023

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