What is antibiotic? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of antibiotic

antibioticnoun

kháng sinh

/ˌæntibaɪˈɒtɪk//ˌæntibaɪˈɑːtɪk/

Where does the word antibiotic come from?

The term "antibiotic" came into use in the 1940s, coined by the British microbiologist Selman Waksman to describe a group of organic compounds produced by certain bacteria and fungi that have the ability to inhibit the growth or destroy other bacteria. The word itself is a combination of "anti," meaning against, and "b iont," referring to the microscopic life forms called bacteria. This naming convention reflects the fact that antibiotics are designed to combat bacterial infections, which were once a leading cause of death and disease before the development of antibiotic therapy. The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized the field of medicine, as they provided a powerful new tool in the treatment of bacterial infections, from simple skin infections to life-threatening illnesses such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. Today, antibiotics continue to play a critical role in modern medicine, helping to prevent and treat a range of bacterial infections, and remain one of the most important advances in medical science.

Vocabulary summary antibiotic

typeadjective

meaningantibiotic

typenoun

meaningantibiotics

Example of vocabulary antibioticnamespace

  • The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat the patient's bacterial infection.
  • Antibiotics are commonly used to fight against bacteria that cause illnesses like pneumonia, cellulitis, and strep throat.
  • Because the antibiotic didn't work in eradicating the infection, the doctor prescribed a stronger one as a last resort.
  • Without antibiotics, many common infections that we normally take for granted would be deadly.
  • To prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance, it's important to take antibiotics only when prescribed and to complete the full course of treatment.

Synonyms and related words for antibiotic


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