What does salmonellae mean?
Salmonellae is the plural of salmonella and refers to multiple bacteria of the genus Salmonella. These are typically rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria, many strains of which can cause foodborne illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The plural is commonly encountered in laboratory reports, food-safety investigations, public-health announcements, and clinical discussions. In general usage, salmonella is also used collectively for the genus, so expressions such as “salmonella contamination” and “a salmonella outbreak” do not depend on grammatical number. When the intended meaning is specifically several individual organisms, salmonellae is precise, although scientific and technical writing often favors the less potentially ambiguous phrase “Salmonella bacteria.” The name commemorates the American bacteriologist Daniel Salmon and has become familiar worldwide through reports of contaminated food and infection outbreaks.
plural nounThe plural form of salmonella, referring to more than one bacterium of the genus Salmonella, especially those associated with foodborne illness.
- The plural of salmonella, denoting two or more bacteria of the genus Salmonella.
"Laboratory tests confirmed that the samples contained salmonellae."
"The restaurant closed after inspectors found salmonellae in several dishes."
"Researchers compared the genetic profiles of the salmonellae isolated from the two patients."
This is the plural of salmonella when referring to individual bacteria; salmonella itself may also be used collectively for the genus.
"Salmonellae were detected in the patient's stool sample."
Salmonella takes its name from bacteriologist Daniel Salmon, turning an ordinary surname into the name of one of the best-known food-poisoning bacteria.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does salmonellae come from?
The genus name Salmonella was created in the late 19th century in honor of the American bacteriologist Daniel Salmon. It is a Latinized form of his surname and follows the customary convention of naming bacterial genera after people. The plural form salmonellae was developed in accordance with the traditional Latin plural used for scientific genus names.
Related word forms
How salmonellae is actually used
In technical writing, phrases such as “Salmonella bacteria” may be clearer when the number of organisms is not important. The singular salmonella can denote either one bacterium or the genus collectively.
Easily confused with salmonellae
Salmonella is the singular form and the name of the bacterial genus, whereas salmonellae is the plural used for multiple bacteria.