Antibiotic

/ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and treat infections.

The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat my bacterial infection.

Any of a large group of chemical substances produced by a variety of microorganisms and used in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Penicillin is one of the first antibiotics ever discovered.

A type of medication that can help fight infections caused by certain bacteria.

After taking the antibiotic for a week, my symptoms significantly improved.

adjective

Relating to or denoting substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

The patient received antibiotic treatment after the surgery to prevent infection.

Referring to a specific class of drugs that are effective against bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance has become a serious concern in modern medicine.

From the Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'bio-', meaning 'life'.

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.

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.

A shorthand term for antibiotics among healthcare professionals.

The doc put me on some 'biotics' for the infection.

Casual reference to any medication taken to treat infections, particularly antibiotics.

I need to get some biotics to clear up this cold.