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.

---

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

---

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

“While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous,” Hochul said in a news release.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2023

Health officials farther north in Escambia County issued a warning in July about the risks of contracting vibrio.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2022

But the baron is a vibrio and a monkey all in one.

From The Argonauts by Curtin, Jeremiah