botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
| \ ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm
\
\
Definition of botulism
: 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
Despite the botulism association, Botox skyrocketed in popularity and continues to be the most popular non-surgical solution for combating wrinkles, as well as a treatment for chronic migraines and excessive sweating. — Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, "Forehead Botox: The Cost, Benefits, and Everything Else to Know," 22 July 2019 Stink flipper and other traditionally fermented foods, for example, carry a risk of botulism. — Anchorage Daily News, "Tradition, culture, and the healing power of community," 18 June 2019 Alaska has by far the highest rate of botulism in the United States—there are 800 times more cases per capita there—and some have been linked to eating stranded, decaying, or fermented whale and seal. — Craig Welch, National Geographic, "More people are eating marine animals—with deadly results," 22 May 2019 One man in Nome died this year after contracting botulism from a potluck meal of beluga flipper. — Craig Welch, National Geographic, "More people are eating marine animals—with deadly results," 22 May 2019 The lawsuit said North Korea falsely claimed Mr. Warmbier contracted botulism and then was given a sleeping pill. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Judge Orders North Korea to Pay $500 Million in Death of Otto Warmbier," 24 Dec. 2018 The lawsuit said North Korea falsely claimed Mr. Warmbier contracted botulism and then was given a sleeping pill. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Judge Orders North Korea to Pay $500 Million in Death of Otto Warmbier," 24 Dec. 2018 The lawsuit said North Korea falsely claimed Mr. Warmbier contracted botulism and then was given a sleeping pill. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Judge Orders North Korea to Pay $500 Million in Death of Otto Warmbier," 24 Dec. 2018 The lawsuit said North Korea falsely claimed Mr. Warmbier contracted botulism and then was given a sleeping pill. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Judge Orders North Korea to Pay $500 Million in Death of Otto Warmbier," 24 Dec. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'botulism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for botulism
botulism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of botulism
: a serious illness that is caused by eating food that has not been preserved correctly and that is filled with bacteria
See the full definition for botulism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
| \ ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
\
\
Medical Definition of botulism
: 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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