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any rod-shaped or cylindrical bacterium of the genus Bacillus, comprising spore-producing bacteria.
(formerly) any bacterium.
Contemporary Examples

Might Stevens have encountered spores of bacillus anthracis during a recent hike through woods in North Carolina?
The Mirage Man by David Willman: Anthrax Attacker Bruce Ivins’ Obsessions June 1, 2011

Anthrax, or bacillus anthracis, is spore-forming bacteria found in soil that most commonly affects cattle.
CDC: 80 May Have Been Exposed to Anthrax Abby Haglage June 18, 2014

Historical Examples

In the absence of dissolved oxygen, the bacillus appears to take its iron from the pipes.
The Preservation of Antiquities Friedrich Rathgen

The bacterium of splenic fever is called bacillus Anthracis.
Fragments of science, V. 1-2 John Tyndall

If you think my sorrow could have been avoided, offer the bacillus as a wedding gift to—.
The Bacillus of Beauty Harriet Stark

“The bacillus is in Ludlow,” I said in a curiously small voice.
The Blue Germ Martin Swayne

The bacillus of tuberculosis was discovered by Robert Koch in 1882.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle U.S. Department of Agriculture

The same evening there was further news of the progress of the bacillus.
The Blue Germ Martin Swayne

In true conjunctival diphtheria the exciting cause is the Klebs-Lffler bacillus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 Various

The germ—in future to be known as the Sarakoff-Harden bacillus—is ultra-microscopical.
The Blue Germ Martin Swayne

noun (pl) -cilli (-ˈsɪlaɪ)
any rod-shaped bacterium, such as a clostridium bacterium Compare coccus (sense 2), spirillum (sense 1)
any of various rodlike spore-producing bacteria constituting the family Bacillaceae, esp of the genus Bacillus
n.

1877, medical Latin, from Late Latin bacillus “wand,” literally “little staff,” diminutive of baculum “a stick,” from PIE root *bak- “staff,” also source of Greek bakterion (see bacteria). Introduced as a term in bacteriology 1853 by German botanist Ferdinand Cohn (1828-1898).

bacillus ba·cil·lus (bə-sĭl’əs)
n. pl. ba·cil·li (-sĭl’ī’)

Any of various rod-shaped, usually gram-positive aerobic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that often occur in chains and include Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.

Any of various bacteria, especially a rod-shaped bacterium.

Bacillus (bə-sĭl’əs)
n.
A genus of rod-shaped gram-positive bacteria capable of producing endospores.
bacillus
(bə-sĭl’əs)
Plural bacilli (bə-sĭl’ī’)
Any of various pathogenic bacteria, especially one that is rod-shaped.