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 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.
Keaton died on October 11, 2025, at age 79 from primary bacterial pneumonia. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Jonathan Lucas concluded that Patton’s death was an accident caused by acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicated by influenza A, with substance use disorder and the effects of methadone listed as contributing factors. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Additionally, in the case of probiotic drinks, the specific bacterial strains matter too. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026 The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacterial. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bacterial

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster