bacteria

bac-te-ri-a · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Microscopic single-celled organisms that exist in enormous numbers in almost every environment on Earth, including the human body; some cause disease while others are beneficial.

  2. 2.

    (Informal, often used with singular verb) Any of these organisms.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bacterial infection — An infection caused by bacteria.
  • •
    good bacteria — Beneficial bacteria, especially in the digestive system.
  • •
    antibiotic-resistant bacteria — Bacteria that have evolved to survive antibiotics.

Related words

See also: bacterium, germ, microbe, virus
Synonyms: germs, microbes, microorganisms

Etymology

From New Latin bacteria, plural of bacterium, from Greek baktērion ("small staff"), diminutive of baktron ("stick, staff"), referring to their rod-like shape.