methicillin

noun

meth·​i·​cil·​lin ˌme-thə-ˈsi-lən How to pronounce methicillin (audio)
: a semisynthetic penicillin C17H19N2O6NaS used especially in the form of its sodium salt against beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci

Examples of methicillin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For this combination – the antibiotic methicillin and the bacteria S. aureus – the number of attributable deaths nearly doubled from 57,200 in 1990 to 130,000 in 2021. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024 About 40% of those S. aureus infections were the difficult-to-treat kind: methicillin-resistant S. aureus, also known as MRSA. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 6 Feb. 2023 Microban 24 is a sanitizing spray that, according to the brand’s website, provides 24-hour protection against Staphylococcus aureus—a microbial villain that comes in several varieties, including the methicillin-resistant type known as MRSA, any of which can cause a serious staph infection. Heather Mayer Irvine, Popular Mechanics, 20 Sep. 2021 Roughly 40% of the infections were resistant to treatment with the antibiotic methicillin, the report found. Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 Some of the most dangerous superbugs include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridioides difficile, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea. Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021 Young and otherwise healthy people can get a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, infection on their skin. BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

meth- + penicillin

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methicillin was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near methicillin

Cite this Entry

“Methicillin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methicillin. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

methicillin

noun
meth·​i·​cil·​lin ˌmeth-ə-ˈsil-ən How to pronounce methicillin (audio)
: a form of penicillin used especially against certain forms of staphylococcus bacteria

Medical Definition

methicillin

noun
meth·​i·​cil·​lin ˌmeth-ə-ˈsil-ən How to pronounce methicillin (audio)
: a semisynthetic penicillin C17H19N2O6NaS that is especially effective against beta-lactamase producing staphylococci
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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