streptomycin

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cin ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-sᵊn 

: an antibiotic organic base C₂₁H₃₉N₇O₁₂ that is produced by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces griseus), is active against many bacteria, and is used especially in the treatment of infections (such as tuberculosis) by gram-negative bacteria

Examples of streptomycin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The discovery of streptomycin in 1943, the first antibiotic effective against TB, coupled with later antibiotics, nearly eradicated the disease. —Christian Millman, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2018

Plombage therapy was eventually abandoned following the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin in 1945, and then by isoniazid, an antibiotic that is now a pillar of tuberculosis therapy. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2015

For a few months, before production could scale up, Hinshaw’s San Francisco laboratory held the world’s entire supply of streptomycin, and pleas for the miracle drug poured in from the afflicted from Siberia to Tierra del Fuego. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022

And streptomycin, developed in 1943, stopped TB cold in most patients. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

streptomycin

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cin ˌstrep-tə-ˈmīs-ᵊn 

: an antibiotic produced by a soil streptomyces and used especially in the treatment of some infections (as tuberculosis) caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

streptomycin

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cin -ˈmīs-ᵊn 

: an antibiotic organic base C₂₁H₃₉N₇O₁₂ that is produced by a soil actinomycete of the genus Streptomyces (S. griseus), is active against bacteria, and is used especially in the treatment of infections (as tuberculosis) by gram-negative bacteria