botulism

noun

bot·​u·​lism ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce botulism (audio)
: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate

Examples of botulism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This summer, the lake’s stagnant waters became a hotspot for wild birds and caused an outbreak of avian botulism that forced wildlife officials to patrol on airboats daily and collect hundreds of dead birds. Evan Bush, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024 Infant botulism is rare in the US, with an average of around 80 cases each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024 There are several forms of botulism, but in this outbreak, the cases are a form called iatrogenic botulism, which occurs when too much toxin is injected during medical procedures. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 Mar. 2023 But as time passed and others began showing illness, including Benner, and doctors focused on botulism. Alan Gionet, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023 In the Great Lakes, they’re blamed for outbreaks of avian botulism that have killed tens of thousands of birds and for a general increase in water pollution. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023 There are several forms of botulism, including foodborne botulism, which occurs when someone ingests the toxin by eating contaminated food. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 19 May 2021 The parents of Matt Jackson are waiting and worrying about their 41-year-old son who remains in an intensive care unit in a French hospital after being diagnosed with botulism poisoning. Alan Gionet, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023 But shallow, warm waters could also fuel botulism outbreaks and mass die-offs, The Times’ Susanne Rust reports. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botulism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of botulism was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near botulism

Cite this Entry

“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

botulism

noun
bot·​u·​lism ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce botulism (audio)
: poisoning caused by eating food containing a toxin made by a spore-forming bacterium

Medical Definition

botulism

noun
bot·​u·​lism ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce botulism (audio)
: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate see botulinum toxin, limberneck

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