diphtheroid

1 of 2

adjective

diph·​the·​roid ˈdif-thə-ˌrȯid How to pronounce diphtheroid (audio)
: resembling diphtheria

diphtheroid

2 of 2

noun

: a bacterium (especially genus Corynebacterium) that resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce diphtheria toxin

Examples of diphtheroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Among the germs were colon bacilli, staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci and diphtheroid bacilli. Daniel C. Schlenoff, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diphtheroid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1861, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diphtheroid was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near diphtheroid

Cite this Entry

“Diphtheroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheroid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

diphtheroid

1 of 2 adjective
diph·​the·​roid ˈdif-thə-ˌrȯid How to pronounce diphtheroid (audio)
: resembling diphtheria

diphtheroid

2 of 2 noun
: a bacterium (especially genus Corynebacterium) that resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce diphtheria toxin
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