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
Walker's Wine Juice LLC is recalling their pumpkin juice due to the potential presence of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Symptoms of botulism include: General weakness Dizziness Double-vision Trouble with speaking or swallowing
Other common symptoms of botulism include:
Difficulty breathing
Weakness of other muscles
Abdominal distension
Constipation
What products were recalled?
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal distension and constipation, according to the FDA.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Clostridium botulinum can produce a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and can lead to botulism, an illness that causes breathing complications, muscle paralysis, and death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2025
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Symptoms of botulism include: General weakness Dizziness Double-vision Trouble with speaking or swallowing
Other common symptoms of botulism include:
Difficulty breathing
Weakness of other muscles
Abdominal distension
Constipation
What products were recalled?
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal distension and constipation, according to the FDA.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Clostridium botulinum can produce a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and can lead to botulism, an illness that causes breathing complications, muscle paralysis, and death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botulism
Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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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