probiotic

American  

[proh-bahy-ot-ik] / ˌproʊ baɪˈɒt ɪk /

noun

1. a food, usually dairy, or a dietary supplement containing live bacteria that replace or add to the beneficial bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract.

   This chewable probiotic is packed with 10 billion live cultures.

2. a bacterium in a food or dietary supplement that replaces or adds to the beneficial bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract.

   The probiotic in this product is a close cousin of brewer's yeast.

---

adjective

1. being or relating to a food or dietary supplement containing live bacteria that replace or add to the beneficial bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract.

   The doctor recommended a probiotic yogurt drink for my stomach problems.

probiotic British  

/ ˌprəʊbaɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

1. a harmless bacterium that helps to protect the body from harmful bacteria

2. a substance that encourages the growth of natural healthy bacteria in the gut

---

adjective

1. of or relating to probiotics

   probiotic yogurt

Etymology

Origin of probiotic

First recorded in 1950-55; pro- ¹ + biotic, modeled on antibiotic

Explanation

Probiotics are health-boosting microorganisms, like beneficial bacteria and yeasts, that are found naturally in foods such as some yogurts. If you struggle with digestive issues, your doctor may suggest trying probiotics to restore your gut health. Long before the term probiotic was coined, scientists noticed that people who traditionally ate a lot of naturally fermented yogurt tended to live longer, healthier lives. Nobel winner Élie Metchnikoff is credited with the idea that good microbes in the gut could crowd out harmful ones. Today, these beneficial microbes — found in fermented foods and dietary supplements — are called probiotics, combing the Latin pro-, "for," and the Greek biōtikos, "pertaining to life."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

probiotic

In a study published in Science Advances, the team used BifidoSumIL-2, an engineered strain of Bifidobacterium longum, a probiotic bacterium naturally found in the gut, to carry an immune-stimulating treatment directly into tumors.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

The study, "Engineered probiotic Bifidobacterium for tumor-targeted pancreatic cancer therapy" was supported by funds from the Ludwig Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

All three cheeses contained bacteria with recognized probiotic potential, meaning they may help support populations of beneficial microbes in the gut.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Researchers have been especially interested in dietary and probiotic approaches that might increase beneficial indole metabolites.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

Among the new guard of probiotic fro-yo purveyors is Myka, a chain from Madrid that sells frozen Greek yogurt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026