streptomycin

noun strep·to·my·cin \ ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-sᵊn \

Updated on: 2 Mar 2018

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

See streptomycin defined for kids

Recent Examples of streptomycin from the Web

For example, streptomycin, which has been used to treat tuberculosis and plague, is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces griseus.

— sarah kaplan, ajc, "Scientists discover potentially powerful new antibiotic in dirt," 13 Feb. 2018
The 1952 medicine and physiology prize went to Selman Waksman for the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin, and ignored Waksman’s graduate student Albert Schatz, who actually found the chemical.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "The Absurdity of the Nobel Prizes in Science," 3 Oct. 2017
Waksman was awarded a Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1952 for his work in discovering Streptomyces grieses and creating streptomycin.

— melanie burney, Philly.com, "A New Jersey thing: An official state germ?," 14 June 2017
Today, streptomycin has been replaced with more effective antibiotics.

— melanie burney, Philly.com, "A New Jersey thing: An official state germ?," 14 June 2017
And mark the calendar to spray the plants with agricultural streptomycin during peak bloom season next time around.

— neil sperry, star-telegram.com, "Common problems encountered in mid-spring gardening," 6 May 2017
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 —

— maryn mckenna, WIRED, "Farm antibiotics, human illness and what connects them. (It has legs.)," 28 Jan. 2011

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

streptomycin

noun strep·to·my·cin \ -ˈmīs-ᵊn \

medical 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about streptomycin

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up streptomycin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

streptomycin

Definition of streptomycin

Recent Examples of streptomycin from the Web

First Known Use of streptomycin

Medical Dictionary

streptomycin

medical Definition of streptomycin

Learn More about streptomycin

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Citation

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

streptomycin

Definition of streptomycin

Recent Examples of streptomycin from the Web

First Known Use of streptomycin

Medical Dictionary

streptomycin

medical Definition of streptomycin

Learn More about streptomycin

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes