antibiotic

[ an-ti-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-, an-tee-, -tahy- ]
/ ˌæn tɪ baɪˈɒt ɪk, -bi-, ˌæn ti-, -taɪ- /
Biochemistry, Pharmacology
SEE SYNONYMS FOR antibiotic ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

of or involving antibiotics.

Origin of antibiotic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM antibiotic

an·ti·bi·ot·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby antibiotic

antiballistic missile treaty, antibaryon, antibes, antibilious, antibiosis, antibiotic, antibiotic enterocolitis, antibiotics, resistance to, antiblack, antiblastic, antibodies

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Words related to antibiotic

penicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, streptomycin, ampicillin, sulfonamide

Example sentences from the Web for antibiotic

British Dictionary definitions for antibiotic

antibiotic
/ (ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk) /

noun

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

of or relating to antibiotics

Medical definitions for antibiotic

antibiotic
[ ăn′tĭ-bī-ŏt′ĭk, ăn′tī- ]

n.

A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.

adj.

Of or relating to antibiotics.
Of or relating to antibiosis.

Scientific definitions for antibiotic

antibiotic
[ ăn′tĭ-bī-ŏt′ĭk ]

Noun

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

Relating to antibiotics.
Relating to antibiosis.

Cultural definitions for antibiotic

antibiotic
[ (an-ti-beye-ot-ik, an-teye-beye-ot-ik, an-ti-bee-ot-ik) ]

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 for antibiotic

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.)