Objectives: Antibiotic exposure is the most important risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Most evaluations of antimicrobial risk factors have been conducted in healthcare settings. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between antibiotic exposure and community-associated CDI (CA-CDI) (i.e. symptom onset in the community with no healthcare facility admission within 12 weeks) and to determine the classes of antibiotics posing the greatest risk. Methods: We searched four electronic databases for subject headings and text words related to CA-CDI and antibiotics. Studies that investigated the risk of CA-CDI associated with antibiotic usage were considered eligible. Data from the identified studies were combined using a random-effects model and ORs were calculated. Results: Of 910 citations identified, eight studies (n 1/4 30184 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Antibiotic exposure was associated with an increased risk of CA-CDI (OR 6.91, 95% CI 4.17-11.44, I2 = 95%). The riskwas greatest with clindamycin (OR 20.43, 95% CI 8.50-49.09) followed by fluoroquinolones (OR 5.65, 95% CI 4.38-7.28), cephalosporins (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.60-12.50), penicillins (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.89-5.57), macrolides (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.91-3.39) and sulphonamides/trimethoprim (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.48-2.29). Tetracyclines were not associated with an increased CDI risk (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.57-1.45). Conclusions: Antibiotic exposure was an important risk factor for CA-CDI, but the risk was different amongst different antibiotic classes. The riskwas greatest with clindamycin followed by fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, whereas tetracyclines were not associated with an increased risk. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.