cephalosporin

[ sef-uh-loh-spawr-in, -spohr- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. any of a group of widely used broad-spectrum antibiotics, originally isolated as a product of fermentation from the fungus Cephalosporium acremonium.

cephalosporin

/ ˌsɛfələʊˈspɔːrɪn /

noun

1. any of a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics obtained from fungi of the genus Cephalosporium

Word History and Origins

Origin of cephalosporin¹

1950–55; < New Latin Cephalospor ( ium ) the genus ( cephalo-, -spore, -ium ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Some bacteria have developed the ability to break down beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins, making them ineffective.

From Science Daily

Some raw materials come almost exclusively from China, Dilip Shanghvi, managing director of Sun said, including antibiotics such as azithromycin, penicillin and cephalosporin.

From Washington Post

He worked initially with Edward Abraham, who had been part of the team that developed penicillin and who went on to reveal the activity of broad-spectrum antibiotics known as cephalosporins.

From Nature

On Thursday she waited for hours to receive treatment herself, and was eventually given an anti-inflammatory injection but told supplies of cephalosporin had run out.

From The Guardian

Penicillin increased the risk by 30 percent, macrolides by 28 percent and cephalosporins by 19 percent compared to infants who had been given no antibiotic prescriptions.

From New York Times