streptococcus

play

noun strep·to·coc·cus \ -ˈkä-kəs \

Definition of streptococcus

plural streptococci play \-ˈkä-ˌkī, -(ˌ)kē; -ˈkäk-ˌsī, -(ˌ)sē\

: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

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Recent Examples of streptococcus from the Web

Group A streptococcus, the same bug that causes strep throat.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "A Hiker Developed a Near-Fatal Infection With Flesh-Eating Bacteria. Here's How to Make Sure This Doesn’t Happen to You," 24 July 2017
What Atkins didn't know at the time was that his blisters had allowed Group A streptococcus to enter his body.

— cleve r. wootson jr., Washington Post, "He thought he just had blisters from a hike. He had flesh-eating bacteria and nearly died.," 23 July 2017
Shortly after the baby was born last fall, he was found to have a group B streptococcus infection.

— victoria knight, CNN, "Sick baby prompts concern over placenta pills," 3 July 2017
Allicin, a compound in garlic, might inhibit activity of group A streptococcus, the bacteria that causes the condition.

— jessica migala, Good Housekeeping, "5 Surprising Sore Throat Remedies That'll Bring Sweet Relief," 15 June 2017
Pediatricians are extremely eager to have a streptococcus A vaccine, especially as more antibiotics fail to control the infection.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "Scientists Link a Gene Mutation to Rheumatic Heart Disease," 29 May 2017
The discovery could help the long fight to find a vaccine against Group A streptococcus bacteria, which cause strep throat, scarlet fever and rheumatic heart disease.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "Scientists Link a Gene Mutation to Rheumatic Heart Disease," 29 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of streptococcus

New Latin

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First Known Use: 1877

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STREPTOCOCCUS Defined for English Language Learners

streptococcus

play

noun

Definition of streptococcus for English Language Learners

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

Medical Dictionary

streptococcus

play

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 play \-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī\ :any bacterium of the genus Streptococcus; broadly :a coccus occurring in chains

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Britannica English: Translation of streptococcus for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about streptococcus

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streptococcus

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streptococcus

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streptococcus

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