streptomyces

noun

strep·​to·​my·​ces ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-ˌsēz 

plural streptomyces

: any of a genus (Streptomyces) of mostly soil streptomycetes including some that form antibiotics as by-products of their metabolism

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from strepto- + Greek mykēs fungus — more at myc-

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

streptomyces

noun

strep·​to·​my·​ces ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-ˌsēz 

plural streptomyces

: any of various mostly soil bacteria including some that form antibiotics as by-products of their metabolism

Medical Definition

streptomyces

noun

strep·​to·​my·​ces -ˈmī-ˌsēz 

1

capitalized : the type genus of the family Streptomycetaceae comprising mostly soil actinomycetes including some that form antibiotics as by-products of their metabolism

2

plural streptomyces : any bacterium of the genus Streptomyces