mycoplasma

noun

my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə 

plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə-tə 

: any of a genus (Mycoplasma of the family Mycoplasmataceae) of pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that lack a cell wall and are mostly parasitic usually in mammals

called also pleuropneumonia-like organism

mycoplasmal

ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-məl 

adjective

Examples of mycoplasma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Strep throat, salmonella, mycoplasma infections, and Lyme disease can all cause vaginal ulcers.2 A yeast infection (a type of fungal infection) can also sometimes lead to vaginal or vulvar ulcers. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 28 Feb. 2025

Other bacteria that can cause the respiratory condition include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires’ disease), per the above source. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025

On top of the four viruses, Siegel warned of some bacterial outbreaks that can cause respiratory illness, such as mycoplasma, pertussis and strep. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025

When mycoplasma is the cause of the virus, clinicians typically use azithromycin, a common drug for bacterial infections, to treat walking pneumonia. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mycoplasma

• mycoplasma-like organism

Rhymes for mycoplasma

• histoplasma
• toxoplasma
• asthma
• plasma
• chiasma
• miasma

Medical Definition

mycoplasma

noun

my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə 

1

capitalized : the type genus of the family Mycoplasmataceae containing minute pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that are mostly parasitic usually in mammals see pleuropneumonia sense 2

2

plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata -mət-ə  : any bacterium of the genus Mycoplasma or of the family Mycoplasmataceae

called also pleuropneumonia-like organism, PPLO

mycoplasmal

-məl 

adjective