erythromycin

[ ih-rith-ruh-mahy-sin ]

noun

1. Pharmacology. an antibiotic, C 37 H 67 NO 13 , produced by an actinomycete, Streptomyces erythraeus, used chiefly in the treatment of diseases caused by many Gram-positive and some Gram-negative organisms.

erythromycin

/ ɪˌrɪθrəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic used in treating certain infections,sometimes as an alternative to penicillin. It is obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus. Formula: C 37 M 67 NO 13

erythromycin

/ ĭ-rĭth′rə-mī′sĭn /

1. An antibiotic obtained from the bacteria Streptomyces erythreus, effective against many gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

First recorded in 1950–55; erythro- + -mycin

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

C20: from erythro- + Greek mukēs fungus + -in

Example Sentences

But some clams make their own erythromycin, a study has found—the first animals reported to possess this ability.

From Science Magazine

Enzymes in bacteria are used to make an important antibiotic, erythromycin, which was first discovered in 1952.

From Salon

Instead, both the artificial and natural nests were rich in Pseudonocardiaceae and Streptomycetaceae, bacterial families that produce many common antibiotics, including erythromycin.

From Science Magazine

The list of ingredients and medicines accounts for 10% of all Indian pharmaceutical exports and includes several antibiotics, such as tinidazole and erythromycin, the hormone progesterone and Vitamin B12.

From BBC

I'd tried every over-the-counter zit medication known to man, along with harsher prescription creams like Retin-A or pills like erythromycin that were recommended by my dermatologist.

From Literature

Related Words

• penicillin