erythromycin

[ih-rith-ruh-mahy-sin]

noun

1. Pharmacology.,  an antibiotic, C 37 H 67 NO 13 , produced by an actinomycete, Streptomyces erythraeus, used chiefly in the treatment of diseases caused by many Gram-positive and some Gram-negative organisms.

erythromycin

/ ɪˌrɪθrəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic used in treating certain infections,sometimes as an alternative to penicillin. It is obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus. Formula: C 37 M 67 NO 13

erythromycin

1. An antibiotic obtained from the bacteria Streptomyces erythreus, effective against many gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

First recorded in 1950–55; erythro- + -mycin

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

C20: from _erythro- + Greek mukēs fungus + _-in

Example Sentences

But some clams make their own erythromycin, a study has found—the first animals reported to possess this ability.

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Enzymes in bacteria are used to make an important antibiotic, erythromycin, which was first discovered in 1952.

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Instead, both the artificial and natural nests were rich in Pseudonocardiaceae and Streptomycetaceae, bacterial families that produce many common antibiotics, including erythromycin.

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The list of ingredients and medicines accounts for 10% of all Indian pharmaceutical exports and includes several antibiotics, such as tinidazole and erythromycin, the hormone progesterone and Vitamin B12.

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I'd tried every over-the-counter zit medication known to man, along with harsher prescription creams like Retin-A or pills like erythromycin that were recommended by my dermatologist.

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Related Words

• penicillin