What does salmonella mean?
Salmonella is a noun used for bacteria in the genus Salmonella, several species of which can cause food poisoning and other infections. In everyday English, people also use the word to mean the illness itself, although salmonellosis is the more precise medical term for that infection. The bacteria are commonly associated with contaminated food, including poultry, eggs, meat, and unwashed produce, but transmission can occur through water, animals, or contact with an infected person. Salmonella is important in public health because outbreaks can spread rapidly through food supply chains and because infection may cause fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, and dehydration. Proper identification of the organism and its source is essential for controlling outbreaks and preventing further cases.
nounAny of a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that includes species causing salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning. The term may also refer informally to an infection caused by these bacteria.
- A bacterium belonging to the genus Salmonella, especially one that causes foodborne illness.
- An infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, especially salmonellosis; this use is informal or colloquial.
"Health officials traced the outbreak to salmonella contamination in the salad."
"The laboratory identified salmonella in the patient's blood sample."
"She avoided the buffet after a salmonella outbreak affected several diners."
Salmonellae is the traditional scientific plural; salmonellas is also widely used, especially in general and public-health writing.
"Several salmonellae were identified in the samples."
Salmonella is named after a scientist, not a fish: the bacterium was given the name in honor of Daniel Salmon, whose work helped identify its causes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does salmonella come from?
Salmonella was named in the late 19th century in honor of the American bacteriologist Daniel Salmon. The genus name is formed from his surname with the scientific ending -ella. Its connection with the word salmon is therefore commemorative rather than descriptive of the organism's relationship to the fish.
Related word forms
How salmonella is actually used
In formal medical writing, salmonella generally refers to the bacterium or genus, while salmonellosis names the resulting infection. The capitalization of Salmonella is customary when referring to the genus or a formally classified organism.
Easily confused with salmonella
Salmon is a fish, whereas salmonella is a bacterium or an infection caused by it.
Salmonella names the bacteria, while salmonellosis is the disease or infection they cause.