bacteriophage

[ bak-teer-ee-uh-feyj ]

noun

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

Origin of bacteriophage

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

Also called phage.

Other words from bacteriophage

bac·te·ri·o·phag·ic [bak-teer-ee-uh-faj-ik, -fey-jik], /bækˌtɪər i əˈfædʒ ɪk, -ˈfeɪ dʒɪk/, bac·te·ri·oph·a·gous [bak-teer-ee-of-uh-guhs], /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə gəs/, adjective
bac·te·ri·oph·a·gy [bak-teer-ee-of-uh-jee], /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə dʒi/, noun

Words Nearby bacteriophage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bacteriophage in a sentence

The first step was to isolate the bacteria from the welts, as a target to screen bacteriophages against.
A Virus Just Wiped Out Antibiotic-Resistant Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient | Shelly Fan | May 10, 2022 | 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.
Science-themed decor to beautify any nerdy home | Sara Chodosh | November 23, 2021 | Popular-Science
He first heard about the bacteriophage that use Z-containing DNA at a dinner party a few years ago, he recalls.
Some viruses thwart bacterial defenses with a unique genetic alphabet | Tina Hesman Saey | May 5, 2021 | Science News
Eventually, he and colleagues turned to a method using bacteriophage — viruses that infect bacteria — developed by researchers at Stanford University.
Hepatitis C discoveries win 2020 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine | Tina Hesman Saey | October 5, 2020 | Science News

British Dictionary definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage

/ (bækˈtɪərɪəˌfeɪdʒ) /

noun

a virus that is parasitic in a bacterium and multiplies within its host, which is destroyed when the new viruses are released: Often shortened to: phage

Derived forms of bacteriophage

bacteriophagic (bækˌtɪərɪəˈfædʒɪk), adjective
bacteriophagous (bækˌtɪərɪˈɒfəɡəs), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage

[ băk-tîr′ē-ə-fāj′ ]

A virus that infects and destroys bacterial cells.

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