Definition of streptomycin
: an antibiotic organic base C21H39N7O12 that is produced by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces griseus), is active against many bacteria, and is used especially in the treatment of infections (such as tuberculosis) by gram-negative bacteria
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of streptomycin from the Web
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Today, streptomycin has been replaced with more effective antibiotics.
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And mark the calendar to spray the plants with agricultural streptomycin during peak bloom season next time around.
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Of the Enterococci, at least 90 percent of those found in each species were resistant to tetracycline; from 50 percent to 70 percent were resistant to erythromycin; and from 10 percent to 40 percent were resistant to ciprofloxacin and streptomycin —
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'streptomycin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of streptomycin
1944
Medical Dictionary
streptomycin
playMedical Definition of streptomycin
: an antibiotic organic base C21H39N7O12 that is produced by a soil actinomycete of the genus Streptomyces (S. griseus), is active against bacteria, and is used especially in the treatment of infections (as tuberculosis) by gram-negative bacteria
Learn More about streptomycin
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about streptomycin
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