Definition

A type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, particularly listeriosis, which can be serious for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Example

The outbreak of listeria in the food supply raised concerns about food safety.

Conversation

Have you heard about the recent listeria outbreak in some food products?

Yeah, I read about it; it's pretty concerning!

I hope it doesn't affect too many people, listeriosis can be really serious.

Definitely, I think we should be more careful about what we eat right now.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Listeria** → The word 'listeria' is derived from the name of the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who is known for his contributions to antiseptic surgery. The suffix '-ia' is commonly used in scientific nomenclature to denote a condition or a genus. Therefore, 'listeria' refers to a genus of bacteria named in honor of Lister, reflecting its association with health and disease.

Memory Tip

Think of Joseph Lister, the surgeon who pioneered antiseptic techniques, to remember that 'listeria' is named after him, relating to bacteria that can affect health.

Visually Confused Words