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
Any kind of botulism is a medical emergency, the agency said.
—
Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025
The cans of tuna may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that can cause botulism.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2025
Iatrogenic botulism is a more uncommon form of botulism.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2025
The letter notes some recognizable threats, such as anthrax, tularemia, Ebola, plague, and botulism.
—Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025
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Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025
The cans of tuna may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that can cause botulism.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2025
Iatrogenic botulism is a more uncommon form of botulism.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2025
The letter notes some recognizable threats, such as anthrax, tularemia, Ebola, plague, and botulism.
—Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025
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 16 Feb. 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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