Dictionary
1antibiotic
adjective an·ti·bi·ot·ic \ˌan-tē-bī-ˈä-tik, -ˌtī-; -bē-ˈä-\
Definition of ANTIBIOTIC
1
: tending to prevent, inhibit, or destroy life
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of ANTIBIOTIC
1891
Other Pharmacology Terms
Rhymes with ANTIBIOTIC
2antibiotic
noun
medical : a drug that is used to kill harmful bacteria and to cure infections
Full Definition of ANTIBIOTIC
: a substance produced by or a semisynthetic substance derived from a microorganism and able in dilute solution to inhibit or kill another microorganism
See antibiotic defined for English-language learners
See antibiotic defined for kids
First Known Use of ANTIBIOTIC
1943
Other Pharmacology Terms
Rhymes with ANTIBIOTIC
ANTIBIOTIC Defined for Kids
antibiotic
noun an·ti·bi·ot·ic \ˌan-ti-bī-ˈä-tik\
Definition of ANTIBIOTIC for Kids
: a substance produced by living things and especially by bacteria and fungi that is used to kill or prevent the growth of harmful germs
Learn More About ANTIBIOTIC
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: antibiotic lockPrevious Word in the Dictionary: antibiosisAll Words Near: antibiotic
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up antibiotic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).