streptococcus

noun

strep·to·coc·cus | \ ˌstrep-tə-ˈkä-kəs

plural streptococci\ ˌstrep-tə-ˈkä-ˌkī

, -(ˌ)kē ; -ˈkäk-ˌsī , -(ˌ)sē \

Definition of streptococcus

: any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile and parasitic gram-positive bacteria that divide only in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important pathogens of humans and domestic animals broadly : a coccus occurring in chains

Examples of streptococcus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The results found all types of bacteria, like staphylococcus, streptococcus, bacillus cereus, and E. coli. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "6 Places Germs Are Hiding In Your House," 11 Oct. 2018 Patrice Comey launched a campaign to require doctors and hospitals to test for Group B streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can be treated with penicillin during delivery if detected toward the end of a pregnancy. — Susan Page, USA TODAY, "James Comey: Lessons he learned from the tragic loss of his infant son," 16 Apr. 2018 Coley dug deeper and found a few other cases of remission from cancer after a streptococcus infection. — Greg Kahn, Smithsonian, "Could Immunotherapy Lead the Way to Fighting Cancer?," 22 Mar. 2018 Studies have shown that solutions of cinnamon oil can kill a number of common bacteria, such as streptococcus and E. coli. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Cinnamon: Pantry staple -- and medical powerhouse?," 8 Mar. 2018 Just like the successful immunizations against the bacteria that cause measles, mumps and tetanus, a shot to prevent streptococcus infections could save lives and reduce health care costs. — Kate Sheridan, Newsweek, "Strep Vaccine Could Save Lives and Reduce Health Care Costs—So Why Don't We Have One?," 26 Feb. 2018 But in 15 to 30 percent of cases, tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, most often a certain type of streptococcus (a.k.a. — Claire Gillespie, SELF, "Gabourey Sidibe Is Getting Her Tonsils Out—Here's What That's Like as an Adult," 18 Jan. 2018 Pinterest Intravenous antibiotics are the first line of treatment against bacteria like group A streptococcus. — Amanda Macmillan, PEOPLE.com, "A New Mom Became a Quadruple Amputee From Flesh-Eating Bacteria: How Common Is It?," 25 Oct. 2017 Intravenous antibiotics are the first line of treatment against bacteria like group A streptococcus. — Amanda Macmillan, Time, "A New Mom Became a Quadruple Amputee From Flesh-Eating Bacteria. Here's What You Need to Know," 16 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'streptococcus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about streptococcus

Dictionary Entries near streptococcus

streptococcal

streptococcal mastitis

Statistics for streptococcus

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for streptococcus

The first known use of streptococcus was in 1877

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for streptococcus

streptococcus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of streptococcus

medical : a type of bacteria that causes diseases in people and animals

See the full definition for streptococcus in the English Language Learners Dictionary

streptococcus

noun

strep·to·coc·cus | \ -ˈkäk-əs

Medical Definition of streptococcus

1 capitalized : a genus of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile and parasitic gram-positive bacteria (family Streptococcaceae) that divide only in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important pathogens of humans and domestic animals

2 plural streptococci\ -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī

\ : any bacterium of the genus Streptococcus broadly : a coccus occurring in chains