pneumococcus

American  

[noo-muh-kok-uhs, nyoo‑] / ˌnu məˈkɒk əs, ˌnyu‑ /

noun

PLURAL

pneumococci

1. a bacterium, Diplococcus pneumoniae, causing lobar pneumonia and associated with certain other diseases, as pericarditis and meningitis.

---

pneumococcus British  

/ ˌnjuːməʊˈkɒkəs /

noun

1. a spherical bacterium that occurs in the respiratory tract, esp the Gram-positive Diplococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia

---

Other Word Forms

• pneumococcal adjective
• pneumococcic adjective
• pneumococcous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pneumococcus

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; pneumo- , -coccus

Example Sentences

In the case of pneumococcus, for example, immunizing children indirectly protects older adults by limiting transmission.

From Seattle Times

A patient could carry the influenza virus but also test positive for a bacterium such as pneumococcus, for example.

From Seattle Times

Medicare Part B covers three vaccines completely: influenza, pneumococcus and, when indicated, hepatitis B.

From New York Times

Bisphosphonates lowered the risk even in people already vaccinated against seasonal flu and pneumococcus, two common causes of pneumonia.

From New York Times

Merkel had on Friday afternoon received a vaccine shot against pneumococcus, a pneumonia-causing bacteria, from the doctor and she went into quarantine after learning of his positive test result.

From Reuters