bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
bacterial infection
bacterially
bak-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tularemia, a bacterial disease, can become serious if left untreated. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Cyclospora cannot be detected through standard bacterial stool cultures and requires a specific laboratory test ordered by a physician. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 This gut bacterial production takes several months to develop, so newborns and infants in the first several months of life are particularly susceptible to consequences of inadequate vitamin K in the clotting process. — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Your Cancer Risk May Increase Hot dogs typically include nitrites and nitrates, which are preservatives added to prolong shelf life and prevent bacterial growth. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bacterial

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacterial was in 1869

Phrases Containing bacterial

Rhymes for bacterial

See All Rhymes for bacterial

Browse Nearby Words

bacteriacide
bacterial
bacterial blight
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacterial. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective
bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria
a bacterial chromosome
bacterial infection
bacterial endocarditis
bacterially
-ə-lē How to pronounce bacterial (audio)
adverb

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Nglish: Translation of bacterial for Spanish Speakers

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