antibiotic

[an-ti-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-, an-tee-, -tahy-]

noun

1. 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

1. of or involving antibiotics.

antibiotic

/ ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

1. 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

1. of or relating to antibiotics

antibiotic

1. 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.

1. Relating to antibiotics.

2. Relating to antibiosis.

antibiotic

1. 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.

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.)

Other Word Forms

• antibiotically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antibiotic¹

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

Example Sentences

After developing symptoms of a chest infection on the first day, she was given antibiotics at a medical centre.

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He can’t stop thinking how grateful he is “for all modern medicine—antibiotics, vaccines, surgical technology, all the rest.”

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Chicken stock, egg noodles and chicken raised without antibiotics, along with carrots and celery.

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Campbell’s said the comments about its food are “patently absurd,” noting that the chicken meat in its canned soups comes from USDA-approved suppliers, meets high-quality standards, and doesn’t contain antibiotics.

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Through it all, McNabb, the 74-year-old patient receiving intravenous antibiotics, remained in her bed, getting to know the nurses who buzzed around her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• penicillin