bacteria

¹

[ bak-teer-ee-uh ]

plural noun

, Microbiology.

, singular bac·te·ri·um [bak-, teer, -ee-, uh, m].

1. ubiquitous one-celled organisms, spherical, spiral, or rod-shaped and appearing singly or in chains, comprising numerous and variously classified phyla: among the inestimable number of species are those involved in fermentation, putrefaction, infectious diseases, and nitrogen fixation.

Bacteria

²

[ bak-teer-ee-uh ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. (in the three-domain system of classification) the taxonomic domain comprising the bacteria.

bacteria

/ bækˈtɪərɪə /

plural noun

1. a very large group of microorganisms comprising one of the three domains of living organisms. They are prokaryotic, unicellular, and either free-living in soil or water or parasites of plants or animals See also prokaryote

bacteria

1. sing. bacterium Microorganisms made up of a single cell that has no distinct nucleus . Bacteria reproduce by fission or by forming spores .

Notes

Some bacteria are beneficial to humans (for example, those that live in the stomach and aid digestion ), and some are harmful (for example, those that cause disease).

Derived Forms

• bacˈterial, adjective
• bacˈterially, adverb

Other Words From

• bac·teri·al adjective
• bac·teri·al·ly adverb
• nonbac·teri·al adjective
• nonbac·teri·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bacteria¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin, from Greek baktḗria, plural of baktḗrion, diminutive of baktēría “staff, cane”; bacterium

Origin of bacteria²

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin; bacteria ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bacteria¹

C19: plural of New Latin bacterium , from Greek baktērion , literally: a little stick, from baktron rod, staff

Example Sentences

Is it more bacteria in the water making the shrimp sick?

From Slate

He said that by seeking cheap or free milk online, parents risked feeding their babies a product "potentially laden with bacteria".

From BBC

The fast food giant resumed sales of the burger in all of its restaurants in America after it said samples of its beef patties, taken by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, tested negative for the bacteria.

From BBC

But it turns out this chemical process, in which bacteria, molds or yeasts break down sugar to create simpler compounds, could help alleviate the mounting crisis of food waste.

From Salon

They are strong antioxidants, which have been shown to have protective effects against bacteria, viruses, allergies, inflammation and cancer.

From Salon