listeria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical/specialist)Technical, Medical, News, Public Health
Quick answer
What does “listeria” mean?
A genus of bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, foodborne infection (listeriosis).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genus of bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, foodborne infection (listeriosis).
The illness (listeriosis) caused by this bacterium, often associated with contaminated ready-to-eat foods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'listeria' identically.
Connotations
Associated with food safety scandals and public health warnings in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK news due to historical food safety incidents (e.g., '90s UK outbreaks).
Grammar
How to Use “listeria” in a Sentence
N (as in 'an outbreak of listeria')V + for + N (as in 'tested for listeria')N + in + N (as in 'listeria in cheese')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “listeria” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The product was recalled after it was found to be listeria-contaminated.
American English
- The facility was shut down for potentially listeria-tainted products.
adjective
British English
- A listeria scare prompted a nationwide recall of chilled meats.
American English
- The listeria risk is higher for pregnant women and the elderly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in risk management, food industry recalls, and insurance contexts.
Academic
Used in microbiology, public health, and food science research.
Everyday
Primarily encountered in news reports about food recalls or health advisories.
Technical
Precise term in medicine, epidemiology, and food safety regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “listeria”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “listeria”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “listeria”
- Using as a plural (e.g., 'listerias')
- Confusing 'listeria' (bacterium) with 'listeriosis' (the disease).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a noun, specifically the name of a genus of bacteria.
No, listeriosis (the illness) is typically not spread from person to person but by eating contaminated food.
It is named after the British surgeon Joseph Lister, a pioneer in antiseptic surgery.
Ready-to-eat foods like deli meats, soft cheeses, pâtés, smoked seafood, and pre-prepared salads.
A genus of bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, foodborne infection (listeriosis).
Listeria is usually technical, medical, news, public health in register.
Listeria: in British English it is pronounced /lɪˈstɪərɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /lɪˈstɪriə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LISTen to the news about a scary bactERIA → LISTERIA.
Conceptual Metaphor
POISON/INVISIBLE INVADER (e.g., 'Listeria lurking in the food supply').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'listeria' most appropriately used?