streptococcus
noun
\
-(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
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 That day, La Follette’s son, Bob La Follette, Jr., fell ill with a streptococcus infection. — Erick Trickey, Smithsonian, "Fake News and Fervent Nationalism Got a Senator Tarred as a Traitor During WWI," 19 Oct. 2017These 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.
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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
\
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
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