noun
salmonella
sal-muh-NEL-uh/ˌsælməˈnelə/
A group of bacteria capable of causing foodborne illness.
Raw chicken can carry salmonella that cause food poisoning.
Etymology
Salmonella honors veterinary surgeon Daniel E. Salmon, who isolated a type of these bacteria. The name identifies the bacteria through a researcher, rather than describing their food-poisoning effects.
In context
an outbreak of antibiotic resistant salmonella linked to a california chicken producer
More examples
- Thorough cooking kills salmonella in chicken.
- The lab tests the recalled eggs for salmonella.
- Wash your hands after handling raw meat to avoid spreading salmonella.
Forms
salmonella · salmonellae · salmonellas
salmonellosis noun — An infection caused by salmonella bacteria.