vibrio

American  

[vib-ree-oh] / ˈvɪb riˌoʊ /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

vibrios

1. any of several comma- or S -shaped bacteria of the genus Vibrio, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans and other animals.

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vibrio British  

/ ˈvɪbrɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. any curved or spiral rodlike Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Vibrio , including V. cholerae , which causes cholera: family Spirillaceae

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Other Word Forms

• vibrioid adjective

Etymology

Origin of vibrio

< New Latin (1854), equivalent to Latin vibr ( āre ) to shake + -iō noun suffix

Example Sentences

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae, often from faeces.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

According to Cheryl McCloud at the Herald Tribune, "at least eight people in Florida have died so far this year from the so-called 'flesh eating' bacteria" vibrio vulnificus.

From Salon • Sep. 18, 2023

The state Department of Health reports that as of Friday there have been 65 cases of vibrio vulnificus infections and 11 deaths in Florida this year.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2022

“You have a mix of climate change, poverty and aggressive urbanization, all contributing to the exacerbation of vibrio infections and an increase of other diseases like dengue, zika and parasitic infections.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2022

Results justified our attempt; the septic vibrio grew easily in a complete vacuum, and no less easily in the presence of pure carbonic acid.

From The Harvard Classics Volume 38 Scientific Papers (Physiology, Medicine, Surgery, Geology) by Various