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Meaning & Definition of Antibiotic in English

English

Antibiotic

Pronunciation:

/ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/

Part of Speech:

noun

Plural:

antibiotics

Meaning 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

antimicrobial | antiseptic | bactericide | medicine

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.