tetracycline

noun

tet·​ra·​cy·​cline ˌte-trə-ˈsī-ˌklēn  -klən 

: a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₈ produced by streptomyces or synthetically

also : any of several chemically related antibiotics (such as doxycycline)

Did you know?

Most chemical names are made up of two or more Greek and Latin roots strung together. Thus, tetracycline, with its cycl- root from the Greek word for "circle", means "four-ringed"—that is, "consisting of four fused hydrocarbon rings". Antibiotics work against bacteria and other tiny organisms (but not viruses); tetracycline, which comes from a kind of soil bacteria, is one of the most used of the antibiotics. "Broad-spectrum" antibiotics work well on numerous organisms; thus, tetracycline has proved effective against acne, chlamydia, cholera, rickets, and various lung and eye infections, among many other conditions.

Examples of tetracycline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doctors say to avoid are retinol (including tretinoin), salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, hydrocortisone (in the first trimester), chemical sunscreens, hydroquinone, and tetracycline during pregnancy. —Katie Becker, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024

Examples of interacting antibiotics include quinolones (such as ciprofloxacin), tetracyclines, and cephalosporins (like Keflex). —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 22 Sep. 2024

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic commonly prescribed for moderate to severe rosacea.5 Brand names include Vibramycin, Oracea, and Doryx. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024

Certain health conditions, such as alcoholism, and certain medications, such as tetracycline antibiotics for acne, can lower our magnesium levels. —Audrey Noble, Allure, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary tetracyclic having four fused hydrocarbon rings + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tetracycline

noun

tet·​ra·​cy·​cline ˌte-trə-ˈsī-ˌklēn 

: a yellow crystalline antibiotic produced by a soil bacterium or made synthetically

Medical Definition

tetracycline

noun

tet·​ra·​cy·​cline ˌte-trə-ˈsī-ˌklēn  -klən 

: a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic that is produced by a soil actinomycete of the genus Streptomyces (S. viridifaciens) or made synthetically and that is administered chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₈·HCl

also : any of several chemically related antibiotics (as doxycycline)