staphylococcus

American  

[staf-uh-luh-kok-uhs] / ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əs /

noun

Bacteriology.

staphylococci plural

1. any of several spherical bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, occurring in pairs, tetrads, and irregular clusters, certain species of which, as S. aureus, can be pathogenic for humans.

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staphylococcus British  

/ ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs, ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk, ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl, -ˈkɒksɪk /

noun

1. Often shortened to: staph.  any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus , typically occurring in clusters and including many pathogenic species, causing boils, infection in wounds, and septicaemia: family Micrococcaceae

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staphylococcus Scientific  

/ stăf′ə-lō-kŏk′əs /

staphylococci plural

1. Any of various bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Pathogenic strains such as S. aureus commonly cause infections of the skin, bones, lungs and other organs. Some staphylococcal disease, such as food poisoning, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria.

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staphylococcus Cultural  

1. A category of bacteria that can cause boils, blood poisoning, and other serious infections.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• staphylococcic
  adjective
• staphylococcal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• staphylococci
  plural

Etymology

Origin of staphylococcus

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at staphylo-, coccus

Example Sentences

LimmaTech is developing vaccines against bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

The team showed the vaccine also protects against two species of bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Vaccines currently in development for Staphylococcus aureus infections, including MRSA, might have the side effect of fighting atopic dermatitis, cellulitis and impetigo — maybe even acne.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

A similar process occurs in human patients during interactions between the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and human immune cells.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2024

Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Bacterium, Bacillus, Spirillum, are all the names in common use applying to the ordinary bacteria.

From The Story of Germ Life by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)