enterobacteria

[en-tuh-roh-bak-teer-ee-uh] /ˌɛn tə roʊ bækˈtɪər i ə/
plural noun, singular enterobacterium
[en-tuh-roh-bak-teer-ee-uh m] /ˌɛn tə roʊ bækˈtɪər i əm/ (Show IPA)
1.
rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, as those of the genera Escherichia, Salmonella, and Shigella, occurring normally or pathogenically in the intestines of humans and other animals, and the genus Erwinia, occurring in plants.
Also called enterics.
Origin
1950-55; entero- + bacteria
Related forms
enterobacterial, adjective