ampicillin

[ am-puh-sil-in ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a broad-spectrum semisynthetic penicillin, C 16 H 19 N 3 O 4 S, effective against certain susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

ampicillin

/ ˌæmpɪˈsɪlɪn /

noun

1. a semisynthetic penicillin used to treat various infections

ampicillin

/ ăm′pĭ-sĭl′ĭn /

1. An antibiotic derived from penicillin that has a broad antibacterial spectrum of action. It is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is used primarily to treat gonorrhea and infections of the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ampicillin¹

First recorded in 1965–70; probably am(inobenzyl)p(en)icillin, an alternate chemical name

Related Words

• penicillin