actinomycete

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​cete ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-ˌsēt 

-mī-ˈsēt,

-tə-nō-;

ak-ˌti-nō-

: any of an order (Actinomycetales) of filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria (such as the actinomyces and streptomyces)

Examples of actinomycete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And really what that is, is the smell of actinomycetes and other fungi that live within the soil of the cave anywhere in the world practically. —Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

taken as singular of New Latin Actinomycetes, plural of Actinomyces actinomyces

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

actinomycete

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​cete -ˈmī-ˌsēt  -mī-ˈsēt 

: a bacterium (as an actinomyces or a streptomyces) of the order Actinomycetales see actinomycosis

actinomycetous

-mī-ˈsēt-əs 

adjective