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
Rosé died in 1944, probably of botulism, despite apparently sincere attempts on the part of camp doctors to save her.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2024
Two California sisters remain in the ICU after eating a cactus salad contaminated by botulism.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
While rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), botulism is a serious illness caused by several bacteria that attack the body’s nerves.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2024
Multiple coffee shops and grocery stores across North Carolina are pulling some of their products off the shelves because of potential botulism — a fatal form of food poisoning.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism 
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2024
Two California sisters remain in the ICU after eating a cactus salad contaminated by botulism.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
While rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), botulism is a serious illness caused by several bacteria that attack the body’s nerves.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2024
Multiple coffee shops and grocery stores across North Carolina are pulling some of their products off the shelves because of potential botulism — a fatal form of food poisoning.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 19 Aug. 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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