botulism
noun
bot·u·lism ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm 
: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web About 110 cases of botulism poisoning are reported in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a quarter of which are food-borne. 
Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2022 Moreover, botulism poisoning can lead to respiratory paralysis and even death. Chris Smith, BGR, 11 Aug. 2022 Holmes says the refuge has sent part of its water allotment into the lake to avoid creating low-water areas that could attract avian botulism and invasive species. The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 Human feeding also encourages flocks to expand, leading to overcrowded conditions that facilitate the spread of diseases such as botulism, cholera, or avian flu. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 19 May 2022 Round gobies can also spread botulism throughout the food chain. Michael Hollan, Fox News, 15 Apr. 2022 Shallow pricks of botulism neurotoxins are inserted all over the face just below the surface of the skin for more of a smoothing effect than a muscle-freezing one. Devon Abelman, Allure, 12 Apr. 2022 The sick children did not have poliovirus, and health authorities ruled out other possible culprits, including West Nile virus, stroke and botulism. Roxanne Khamsi, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2022 Last year, more than 60,000 birds died of botulism in one of the worst outbreaks in years. Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 See More
Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2022 Moreover, botulism poisoning can lead to respiratory paralysis and even death. Chris Smith, BGR, 11 Aug. 2022 Holmes says the refuge has sent part of its water allotment into the lake to avoid creating low-water areas that could attract avian botulism and invasive species. The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 Human feeding also encourages flocks to expand, leading to overcrowded conditions that facilitate the spread of diseases such as botulism, cholera, or avian flu. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 19 May 2022 Round gobies can also spread botulism throughout the food chain. Michael Hollan, Fox News, 15 Apr. 2022 Shallow pricks of botulism neurotoxins are inserted all over the face just below the surface of the skin for more of a smoothing effect than a muscle-freezing one. Devon Abelman, Allure, 12 Apr. 2022 The sick children did not have poliovirus, and health authorities ruled out other possible culprits, including West Nile virus, stroke and botulism. Roxanne Khamsi, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2022 Last year, more than 60,000 birds died of botulism in one of the worst outbreaks in years. Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate see botulinum toxin, limberneck