probiotic

noun

pro·​bi·​ot·​ic prō-bī-ˈä-tik 

-bē-ˈä-

: a microorganism (such as lactobacillus) that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract

also : a product or preparation that contains such microorganisms compare prebiotic

probiotic adjective

Examples of probiotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Foods like yogurt and kefir offer gut-friendly probiotics, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D. —Anthea Levi, Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Biologica’s effervescent sachet delivers everything a woman needs (vitamins, minerals, botanicals, probiotics, and electrolytes) for any stage in her life, from perimenopause to postmenopause. —Air Mail, 3 Jan. 2026

However, eating yogurt with probiotics can provide anti-inflammatory properties, as well as immune-boosting zinc. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025

This tangy alternative adds a little extra protein and gut-friendly probiotics to the chicken salad, too. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

pro- entry 2 + -biotic (as in antibiotic)

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probiotic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• patriotic
• prebiotic
• prokaryotic
• semiotic

Medical Definition

probiotic

noun

pro·​bi·​ot·​ic prō-bī-ˈät-ik, -bē- 

: a microorganism (such as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium) that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract

also : a product or preparation that contains such microorganisms compare prebiotic

probiotic adjective