sulfur bacterium

noun

: any of various bacteria (especially genus Thiobacillus) capable of metabolizing sulfur compounds

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfur bacterium was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near sulfur bacterium

Cite this Entry

“Sulfur bacterium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfur%20bacterium. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

sulfur bacterium

noun
: any of various bacteria capable of reducing sulfur compounds
especially : one of the genus Thiobacillus

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfur bacterium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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