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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1944, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near streptomycin
Cite this Entry
“Streptomycin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streptomycin. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on streptomycin
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about streptomycin
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