food poisoning
noun
: an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food
Examples of food poisoning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Consuming raw or undercooked chicken can lead to food poisoning, stomach pains, nausea, and/or diarrhea (so not fun!)—thanks to bacteria often found in chicken that typically gets killed off during the cooking process (grilling, frying, or baking).
—
Elizabeth Bacharach, Women's Health, 29 Aug. 2023
The incidents are rare, but there can be food poisoning associated with various bacteria and viruses.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But the true number of people who experience food poisoning could be even higher.
—Good Housekeeping, 19 Aug. 2023
People contract food poisoning by consuming drinks or food prepared by someone who does not properly wash their hands or mishandles the product.13
Typically, gastroenteritis goes away on its own within a couple of days.313
Some people with gastroenteritis are at risk for dehydration.
—Sara Coughlin, Health, 10 Aug. 2023
According to the health department, cases of food poisoning peak in the summer months.
—George Wiebe, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2023
According to a GoFundMe for transportation and funeral costs for Lutz, the couple had reportedly visited a hospital to get treatment for food poisoning.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 June 2023
Gurriel was schedule for a routine off day on Saturday against the Braves to manage fatigue, but was switched into the lineup late when Jake McCarthy and Christian Walker were both unavailable due to a bout with food poisoning.
—Theo MacKie, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023
More than 40 percent of food poisoning outbreaks can be linked to ailing food workers, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2023
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Elizabeth Bacharach, Women's Health, 29 Aug. 2023
The incidents are rare, but there can be food poisoning associated with various bacteria and viruses.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But the true number of people who experience food poisoning could be even higher.
—Good Housekeeping, 19 Aug. 2023
People contract food poisoning by consuming drinks or food prepared by someone who does not properly wash their hands or mishandles the product.13
Typically, gastroenteritis goes away on its own within a couple of days.313
Some people with gastroenteritis are at risk for dehydration.
—Sara Coughlin, Health, 10 Aug. 2023
According to the health department, cases of food poisoning peak in the summer months.
—George Wiebe, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2023
According to a GoFundMe for transportation and funeral costs for Lutz, the couple had reportedly visited a hospital to get treatment for food poisoning.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 June 2023
Gurriel was schedule for a routine off day on Saturday against the Braves to manage fatigue, but was switched into the lineup late when Jake McCarthy and Christian Walker were both unavailable due to a bout with food poisoning.
—Theo MacKie, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023
More than 40 percent of food poisoning outbreaks can be linked to ailing food workers, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'food poisoning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1856, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near food poisoning
Cite this Entry
“Food poisoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20poisoning. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
food poisoning
noun
: a digestive sickness caused by bacteria or by chemicals in food
Medical Definition
food poisoning
noun1
: either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products:
a
: a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci)
b
: a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellae that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food
2
: a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption
More from Merriam-Webster on food poisoning
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about food poisoning
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