Meaning & Definition of Antibiotic in English
Antibiotic
Pronunciation:
/ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/Part of Speech:
nounPlural:
antibioticsMeaning and Definition of Antibiotic
1. Primary Definition
A type of medicine used to treat bacterial infections.
2. Detailed Definitions
Definition: A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Example Sentence: Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
Definition: A group of drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria.
Example Sentence: Penicillin was one of the first antibiotics discovered.
Definition: Used to refer to any substance that destroys or limits the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Example Sentence: The antibiotic properties of garlic have been recognized for centuries.
Etymology
Origin: From the Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'bio-', meaning 'life'.
Synonyms
Common Phrases and Expressions
- broad-spectrum antibiotic: An antibiotic effective against a wide range of bacteria.
- narrow-spectrum antibiotic: An antibiotic effective against a specific group of bacteria.
- antibiotic resistance: The capacity of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.
Translations
- Spanish: antibiótico
- French: antibiotique
- German: Antibiotikum
- Russian: антбиотик
Related Words
- antimicrobial: A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
- bacteriostatic: An agent that inhibits bacterial growth without killing them.
- fungicide: A substance that kills fungi.
Slang Meanings of antibiotic
Meaning: A shorthand term for antibiotics among healthcare professionals.
Example Sentence: The doc put me on some 'biotics' for the infection.
Meaning: Casual reference to any medication taken to treat infections, particularly antibiotics.
Example Sentence: I need to get some biotics to clear up this cold.