botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm 
: 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 can lead to foodborne botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
—
Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024
An ongoing outbreak of botulism in the Klamath Basin has killed more than 100,000 birds at a wildlife refuge near the Oregon-California border, conservation groups say.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
Five people are hospitalized and on respirators after eating pesto that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria that causes botulism.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024
Symptoms of botulism can start anywhere from six hours to two weeks after consuming food that contains botulinum toxin, per the FDA.
—Korin Miller, Health, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism 
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Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024
An ongoing outbreak of botulism in the Klamath Basin has killed more than 100,000 birds at a wildlife refuge near the Oregon-California border, conservation groups say.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
Five people are hospitalized and on respirators after eating pesto that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria that causes botulism.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024
Symptoms of botulism can start anywhere from six hours to two weeks after consuming food that contains botulinum toxin, per the FDA.
—Korin Miller, Health, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism
Dictionary Entries Near botulism
Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: 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
: 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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