bacteria
noun
plural of bacterium
Maanvi SinghNote: Microscopic single-celled organisms lacking a distinct nucleus are known as bacteria. They may be shaped like spheres, rods, or spirals. They inhabit virtually all environments, including soil, water, organic matter, and the bodies of animals. Many bacteria swim by means of long whiplike structures called flagella. The DNA of most bacteria is found in a single, circular chromosome, and is distributed throughout the cytoplasm rather than contained within a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Though some bacteria can cause food poisoning and infectious diseases in humans, most are harmless and many are beneficial. They are used in various industrial processes, especially in the food industry (for example, in the production of yogurt, cheeses, and pickles).
Is bacteria singular or plural?: Usage Guide
In its established and uncontroversial uses, bacteria is the plural of bacterium.
Stephen Jay Gould
In speech and in some, typically nontechnical, journalistic writing, it also occurs in a singular sense, synonymous with bacterium.
The Wall Street Journal
Leah Hardy
Although the singular use of bacteria is often identified as an error to be avoided, it is common in published writing. The plural form bacterias is also seen but is relatively rare.
Allan Bruckheim
Examples of bacteria in a Sentence
Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The bacteria can also cause an eye infection that’s responsible for vision loss in 1.9 million people worldwide.
—Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a 60-day aging process for raw cheese to inactivate bacteria and viruses, but the agency recommends cheese producers refrain from using milk from infected or exposed cows.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024
All tests of the fluid came back clear, without bacteria, viruses, or the cells and antibodies seen in rare autoimmune diseases.
—Julia Michie Bruckner, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Federal public health agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), already warn against drinking raw milk or products made from it, due to the risk of viruses and bacteria, which may lead to infection or foodborne illnesses.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Meningococcal disease is an illness caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Additionally, pasteurization — which is required for milk entering interstate commerce — kills bacteria and viruses, including influenza.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 31 Mar. 2024
And the periodontal bacteria—that travel via the bloodstream, inhalation or ingestion—may also cause infections or exacerbate inflammation in other parts of the body.
—Lola Butcher, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bacteria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
plural of bacterium
1864, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bacteria
Cite this Entry
“Bacteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacteria. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
bacteria
plural of bacterium
Medical Definition
bacteria
1 of 2plural of bacterium
bacteria
2 of 2 noun
Wall Street JournalCheryl Clark
More from Merriam-Webster on bacteria
Nglish: Translation of bacteria for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of bacteria for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bacteria
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