antibiotic

[ an-ti-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-, an-tee-, -tahy- ]

noun

1. any of a large group of chemical substances, as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by various microorganisms and fungi, having the capacity in dilute solutions to inhibit the growth of or to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms, used chiefly in the treatment of infectious diseases.

adjective

1. of or involving antibiotics.

antibiotic

/ ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

1. any of various chemical substances, such as penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline, produced by various microorganisms, esp fungi, or made synthetically and capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, esp bacteria

adjective

1. of or relating to antibiotics

antibiotic

/ ăn′tĭ-bī-ŏt′ĭk /

Noun

1. A substance, such as penicillin, that is capable of destroying or weakening certain microorganisms, especially bacteria or fungi, that cause infections or infectious diseases. Antibiotics are usually produced by or synthesized from other microorganisms, such as molds. They inhibit pathogens by interfering with essential intracellular processes, including the synthesis of bacterial proteins. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and are not effective in treating viral infections.

Adjective

1. Relating to antibiotics.
2. Relating to antibiosis.

antibiotic

1. A substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms and is therefore used to treat some infections . One of the most familiar antibiotics is penicillin .

Notes

Microorganisms that are initially treatable with antibiotics may evolve resistance as the more susceptible members of the population are killed off. ( See resistance to antibiotics .)

Other Words From

• anti·bi·oti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antibiotic¹

1855–60, for an earlier sense; anti- + biotic

Example Sentences

But at Christus St. Elizabeth, the OB-GYN just continued antibiotic care.

From Salon

Jo Broughton, 44, has not been swimming there since finding out, concerned about developing antibiotic resistance and the risk to her health.

From BBC

“Antibiotic misuse and overuse largely relates to a lack of understanding, a lack of support,” says Marc Mendelson, the director of the Trinity Challenge, who also heads the infectious diseases division at the University of Cape Town’s hospital.

From BBC

Maisie was given an antibiotic, but according to Mr Mailey it provides little relief and "when she is eating you can definitely see that it is upsetting her".

From BBC

This isn’t necessarily good for us, though: antibiotic resistance has become a massive problem in large part due to horizontal transfer of genes from drug-resistant species into bacteria species that were once routinely killed by medications.

From Salon

Related Words

• penicillin