Antibiotic Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌæntɪˈbaɪətɪk/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

An antibiotic is a type of drug or substance that is used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, in the human body.

Examples

• The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat the patient’s bacterial infection.
• Antibiotics are used to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause food poisoning.

Synonyms

• Medicine
• Antimicrobial

Antonyms

• Pesticide
• Antiseptic

Etymology

The word ‘antibiotic’ was first used in 1887 by Paul Ehrlich to describe the properties of chemical compounds that are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. From the Greek words ‘anti’, meaning ‘against’, and ‘bios’, meaning ‘life’, and the suffix ‘-ic’, indicating a chemical compound.

Usage Notes

Antibiotics are used to treat various types of infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, overprescription of antibiotics has contributed to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Additional Information

Antibiotics are often classified into different types, including broad-spectrum antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of microorganisms, and narrow-spectrum antibiotics that are targeted at specific types of bacteria. The discovery of antibiotics has greatly improved public health and saved countless lives. Scientists continue to develop new antibiotics to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics can have side effects, and their use should be carefully monitored by healthcare professionals. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections more difficult to treat and potentially life-threatening. Antibiotic stewardship is essential to ensure the optimal use of these important medications.

Research has led to the development of alternative treatments to antibiotics, such as bacteriophage therapy and plant-based compounds that have antimicrobial properties. These alternatives offer promising options for treating infections without contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Cultural References

Antibiotics have been featured in various media, including films, literature, and news articles. For example, the film “Outbreak” (1995) depicts a fictional outbreak of a deadly virus that is being treated with antibiotics.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “The cure is worse than the disease”
• “Antibiotics won’t cure everything”

Related Words or Phrases

• Antimicrobial
• Antiseptic
• Antifungal

Collocations

• Ace antibiotics
• For antibiotics
• To take antibiotics

Frequency of Use

Antibiotics are widely used in medicine and are commonly found in everyday language. However, their misuse and overuse have led to concerns about antibiotic resistance, which has increased their notoriety.