rhizobium

rhi·zo·bi·um

noun \rī-ˈzō-bē-əm\

plural -bia \-bē-ə\

Definition of RHIZOBIUM

:  any of a genus (Rhizobium) of small heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of forming symbiotic nodules on the roots of leguminous plants and of there becoming bacteroids that fix atmospheric nitrogen

— rhi·zo·bi·al \-bē-əl\ adjective

Origin of RHIZOBIUM

New Latin, from rhiz- + Greek bios life — more at quick

First Known Use: 1921

rhi·zo·bi·um

noun \rī-ˈzō-bē-əm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RHIZOBIUM

1

capitalized : a genus (family Rhizobiaceae) of small heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of forming symbiotic nodules on the roots of leguminous plants where they fix atmospheric nitrogen

2

plural -bia \-bē-ə\ : any bacterium of the genus Rhizobium