Gram-negative

[ gram-neg-uh-tiv ]

/ ˈgræmˈnɛg ə tɪv /

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adjective (often lowercase)

(of bacteria) not retaining the violet dye when stained by Gram's method.

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Origin of Gram-negative

First recorded in 1905–10; see origin at Gram's method

Words nearby Gram-negative

grammaticism, grammatology, gram-molecular weight, gram molecule, Grammy, Gram-negative, Gramont, gramophone, grampa, Grampian, Grampian Mountains

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

How to use Gram-negative in a sentence

Myerson herself appears to have bought into that stigma, offering mixed to negative views on the Miss America pageant.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think part of being in the public eye is getting recognized, and dealing with positive and negative scrutiny.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity|William O’Connor|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In addition to the negative on-field attention, off-the-field problems were just as bad this year.
Is Any College Football Coach Worth $60 Million? Jim Harbaugh Is|Jesse Lawrence|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The negative headlines and accusations of sexual assault continue.
Team Cosby’s Mission Impossible|Lloyd Grove|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He says he has yet to experience any negative feedback from the galaxy of Whovians.
Doctor Who: It’s Time For a Black, Asian, or Woman Doctor|Nico Hines|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Recognition of the pneumococcus depends upon its morphology, the fact that it is Gram-staining, and the presence of a capsule.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Before Louis could answer in the negative, he heard voices in the adjoining garden.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The great majority belong to the colon bacillus group, and are negative to Gram's method of staining.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
A Gram-positive stool due to cocci is suggestive of intestinal ulceration.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Gram's method (p. 40) is a very useful aid in distinguishing certain bacteria.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for Gram-negative

Gram-negative

adjective

designating bacteria that fail to retain the violet stain in Gram's method

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 Gram-negative

gram-negative

Relating to a group of bacteria that do not change color when subjected to the laboratory staining method known as Gram's method or Gram's stain. Gram-negative bacteria have relatively thin cell walls and are generally resistant to the effects of antibiotics or the actions of the body's immune cells. Gram-negative bacteria include E. coli and the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, typhoid fever, rickettsial fever, cholera, syphilis, plague, and Lyme disease. Compare gram-positive.