Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

broad-spectrum

adjective

Definition of broad-spectrum

1 : effective against a wide range of organisms (such as insects or bacteria)
  • a broad-spectrum antibiotic
2 : effective in protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation by absorbing or blocking both UVA and UVB rays
  • broad-spectrum sunscreens

First Known Use of broad-spectrum

1950

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

broad-spectrum

adjective

medical Definition of broad-spectrum

1 : effective against a wide range of organisms (as insects or bacteria)
  • broad-spectrum antibiotics
— compare narrow-spectrum
2 : effective in protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation by absorbing or blocking both UVA and UVB rays
  • broad-spectrum suncreen

Learn More about broad-spectrum

  1. See words that rhyme with broad-spectrum

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up broad-spectrum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

broad-spectrum

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games