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

Miso is a source of fiber, plant protein, and probiotics. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 8 Apr. 2026

But where do probiotics—another gut-health darling that had its own heyday as the supplement du jour a few years back—come into play? —Michele Ross, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026

Your microbiome typically needs consistent, larger amounts of probiotics to see meaningful benefits. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 Apr. 2026

And while there are far fewer studies on FMT, the review found that this approach was associated with a more rapid change in the gut microbiome in people with Alzheimer’s disease than with probiotics, synbiotics, or dietary interventions. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026

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