streptomycin

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cin ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-sᵊn How to pronounce streptomycin (audio)
: 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

Examples of streptomycin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The discovery of streptomycin in 1943, the first antibiotic effective against TB, coupled with later antibiotics, nearly eradicated the disease. Christian Millman, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2018 Plombage therapy was eventually abandoned following the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin in 1945, and then by isoniazid, an antibiotic that is now a pillar of tuberculosis therapy. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2015 For a few months, before production could scale up, Hinshaw’s San Francisco laboratory held the world’s entire supply of streptomycin, and pleas for the miracle drug poured in from the afflicted from Siberia to Tierra del Fuego. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 And streptomycin, developed in 1943, stopped TB cold in most patients. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for streptomycin 

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streptomycin was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near streptomycin

Cite this Entry

“Streptomycin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streptomycin. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

streptomycin

noun
strep·​to·​my·​cin ˌstrep-tə-ˈmīs-ᵊn How to pronounce streptomycin (audio)
: an antibiotic produced by a soil streptomyces and used especially in the treatment of some infections (as tuberculosis) caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

streptomycin

noun
strep·​to·​my·​cin -ˈmīs-ᵊn How to pronounce streptomycin (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on streptomycin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!