bacteriophage

[ bak-teer-ee-uh-feyj ]

noun

1. any of a group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution.

bacteriophage

/ bækˌtɪərɪəˈfædʒɪk; bækˈtɪərɪəˌfeɪdʒ; bækˌtɪərɪˈɒfəɡəs /

noun

1. a virus that is parasitic in a bacterium and multiplies within its host, which is destroyed when the new viruses are released Often shortened tophage

bacteriophage

/ băk-tîr′ē-ə-fāj′ /

1. A virus that infects and destroys bacterial cells.

Derived Forms

• bacteriophagic, adjective
• bacteriophagous, adjective

Other Words From

• bac·te·ri·o·phag·ic [bak-teer-ee-, uh, -, faj, -ik, -, fey, -jik], bac·te·ri·oph·a·gous [bak-teer-ee-, of, -, uh, -g, uh, s], adjective
• bac·te·ri·oph·a·gy [bak-teer-ee-, of, -, uh, -jee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bacteriophage¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from French bactériophage; bacterio-, -phage

Example Sentences

The first step was to isolate the bacteria from the welts, as a target to screen bacteriophages against.

From Singularity Hub 

MimiPrintsScientists are still debating whether bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria by injecting their genetic material into them—are alive or not, but that won’t matter to you as you gaze at the vibrant, lively colors in this print.

From Popular-Science

He first heard about the bacteriophage that use Z-containing DNA at a dinner party a few years ago, he recalls.

From Science News

Eventually, he and colleagues turned to a method using bacteriophage — viruses that infect bacteria — developed by researchers at Stanford University.

From Science News