What does "penicillin" mean?

Any of a group of narrow-spectrum antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds or synthesized, that have a beta-lactam structure and are active against gram-positive bacteria and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases.

How do you pronounce "penicillin"?

Pronounced //ˌpɛn.ɪˈsɪl.ɪn//.

Penicillin

Q: What is a synonym for "penicillin"?

Common synonyms include: actinomycin, amphotericin, antibiotic, bacitracin, benzylpenicillin, beta lactam antibiotic.

/ˌpɛn.ɪˈsɪl.ɪn/ noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
Any of a group of narrow-spectrum antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds or synthesized, that have a beta-lactam structure and are active against gram-positive bacteria and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases. countable, uncountable
2
any of various antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases wordnet
3
A blue mold of the genus Penicillium that produces penicillin. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms

actinomycin amphotericin antibiotic bacitracin benzylpenicillin beta lactam antibiotic

Antonyms

All antonyms

nonpenicillin antibiotic parenteral penicillin

Example

More examples

"Penicillin has contributed much to the welfare of mankind."

Etymology

From translingual Penicillium + -in. Coined by Alexander Fleming after Penicillium notatum (now Penicillium chrysogenum), a fungus from which penicillin is obtained.

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