methicillin
noun
meth·i·cil·lin
| \ ˌme-thə-ˈsi-lən
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Definition of methicillin
: 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
The circuit switched off in response to the detection of genetic material from pathogens including the Ebola virus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). — Ewen Callaway, Scientific American, "Gene Editing Transforms Gel into Shape-Shifting Smart Material," 23 Aug. 2019 Superbug surveillance Chief among the microbes under surveillance is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is commonly found in hospitals and in patients who have undergone procedures involving invasive devices such as catheters. — Ranjit Devraj, Quartz India, "Superbugs have returned to haunt India’s hospitals," 23 July 2019 The peril of overusing antibiotics became apparent in the 1990s when MRSA (short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a deadly superbug, began terrorising hospitals in Europe and America. — The Economist, "Attack of the superbugs: July 2041," 5 July 2019 It’s also theoretically possible to get methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is basically a staph infection that’s resistant to antibiotics, the CDC explains. — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, "Yes, You Really Should Wear Shower Shoes in the Gym Locker Room," 12 June 2019 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is one well-known example: Resistant strains appeared soon after the antibiotic methicillin was introduced in the 1950s, and now MRSA is a scourge in hospitals worldwide. — Quanta Magazine, "‘Broadband’ Networks of Viruses May Help Bacteria Evolve Faster," 16 Oct. 2018 A month later, her father contracted methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. — Rachel Leingang, azcentral, "Former employee sues ASU, claiming violation of federal medical leave law," 19 June 2018 The bacteria involved are resistant to not only methicillin but also amoxicillin, penicillin and oxycillin. — Cathie Anderson, sacbee, "Influenza B surging as overall flu cases fall — and it's deadlier in kids, experts say | The Sacramento Bee," 19 Mar. 2018 In early tests in rats infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the researchers found that the molecules were able to sterilize the infection area. — Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, "A Potentially Powerful New Antibiotic Is Discovered in Dirt," 14 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'methicillin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for methicillin
methicillin
noun
meth·i·cil·lin
| \ ˌmeth-ə-ˈsil-ən
\
\
Medical Definition of methicillin
: a semisynthetic penicillin C17H19N2O6NaS that is especially effective against beta-lactamase producing staphylococci