sulfonamide

[ suhl-fon-uh-mahyd, -mid, suhl-fuh-nam-ahyd, -id ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. sulfa drug.

sulfonamide

/ sŭl-fŏn′ə-mīd′,-mĭd /

1. Any of a group of organic sulfur compounds containing the radical SO 2 NH 2 .
2. ◆ Certain sulfonamides known as sulfa drugs are used as antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulfonamide¹

First recorded in 1900–05; sulfon(ic acid) + amide

Related Words

• penicillin