botulinum
noun
bot·u·li·num
ˌbä-chə-ˈlī-nəm 
variants
or less commonly botulinus
: a spore-forming bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) that secretes botulinum toxin
Examples of botulinum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It’s caused by a toxin made by Clostridium botulinum and related bacteria.
—
Korin Miller, Health, 22 June 2024
The Clostridium botulinum bacteria is an ingredient in Botox and similar cosmetic substances, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Clostridium botulinum is a nerve toxin that relaxes facial muscles that would otherwise cause wrinkles.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The science builds on the existing body of research into whether the drug — which is made from a toxin that the bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces — can shift our moods.
—Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 16 Mar. 2022
See all Example Sentences for botulinum 
Korin Miller, Health, 22 June 2024
The Clostridium botulinum bacteria is an ingredient in Botox and similar cosmetic substances, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Clostridium botulinum is a nerve toxin that relaxes facial muscles that would otherwise cause wrinkles.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The science builds on the existing body of research into whether the drug — which is made from a toxin that the bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces — can shift our moods.
—Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 16 Mar. 2022
See all Example Sentences for botulinum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botulinum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near botulinum
Cite this Entry
“Botulinum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulinum. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
botulinum
noun
bot·u·li·num
ˌbäch-ə-ˈlī-nəm
variants
also botulinus
: a spore-forming bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) that produces botulinum toxin
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