macrolide

American  

[mak-ruh-lahyd] / ˈmæk rəˌlaɪd /

noun

plural

macrolides

1. Pharmacology. a compound containing a macrocyclic lactone ring, or any of a group of antibiotics containing such a ring and used especially to combat gram-positive bacteria.

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adjective

1. Pharmacology. relating to or being an antibiotic containing a macrocyclic lactone ring.

macrolide Scientific  

/ măk′rə-līd′ /

1. Any of a class of organic compounds containing a large lactone ring made up of twelve or more members.

2. Any of a class of antibiotics having a macrolide ring structure linked to one or more sugars. Macrolides are produced by actinomycete bacteria of the genus Streptomyces and act by inhibiting protein synthesis. Erythromycin is a macrolide.

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Other Word Forms

• nonmacrolide adjective

Example Sentences

The macrolide antibiotics, which include erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin, are among the most widely prescribed antibiotics, with an estimated 66 million prescriptions written in the United States in 2008.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2011