clostridium
noun
clos·trid·i·um
klä-ˈstri-dē-əm 
plural clostridia
klä-ˈstri-dē-ə
: any of a genus (Clostridium) of spore-forming mostly anaerobic soil or intestinal bacteria see botulinum, c. diff, gas gangrene, tetanus
Examples of clostridium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tri-Union Seafoods is voluntarily recalling cans of tuna due to a manufacturing defect that could lead to contamination with clostridium botulinum.
—
Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Can's defect could lead to food poisoning The products are being recalled because the defect found on a limited number of products could cause the contents of the can to leak or become contaminated with clostridium botulinum.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
The clostridium botulinum bacteria is responsible for a disease called botulism, a paralyzing disease affecting the body's nervous system, reported the USDA.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025
Even if the fish doesn’t look fishy—looking or smelling spoiled—the potential of food poisoning from clostridium botulinum is certainly not worth the risk.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2025
The pull tab malfunction could cause leaks or lead to clostridium botulinum contamination, the company said.
—Jason Lalljee, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Raw turkey can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella, clostridium perfringens and campylobacter, which could lead to food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
It’s got an extra strain of probiotic bacteria in there (clostridium, for the curious), which is noteworthy, as many probiotics merely contain one strain.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2024
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Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Can's defect could lead to food poisoning The products are being recalled because the defect found on a limited number of products could cause the contents of the can to leak or become contaminated with clostridium botulinum.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
The clostridium botulinum bacteria is responsible for a disease called botulism, a paralyzing disease affecting the body's nervous system, reported the USDA.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025
Even if the fish doesn’t look fishy—looking or smelling spoiled—the potential of food poisoning from clostridium botulinum is certainly not worth the risk.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2025
The pull tab malfunction could cause leaks or lead to clostridium botulinum contamination, the company said.
—Jason Lalljee, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Raw turkey can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella, clostridium perfringens and campylobacter, which could lead to food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
It’s got an extra strain of probiotic bacteria in there (clostridium, for the curious), which is noteworthy, as many probiotics merely contain one strain.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Clostridium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clostridium. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
clostridium
noun
clos·trid·i·um
kläs-ˈtrid-ē-əm
1
capitalized
: a genus of saprophytic rod-shaped or spindle-shaped usually gram-positive bacteria (family Clostridiaceae) that are anaerobic or require very little free oxygen and are nearly cosmopolitan in soil, water, sewage, and animal and human intestines, that are very active biochemically comprising numerous fermenters of carbohydrates with vigorous production of acid and gas, many nitrogen-fixers, and others which rapidly putrefy proteins, and that include important pathogens see blackleg, botulism, c. diff, gas gangrene, tetanus bacillus
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