pneumococcus

noun
pneu·​mo·​coc·​cus | \ ˌnü-mə-ˈkä-kəs How to pronounce pneumococcus (audio) , ˌnyü-\
plural pneumococci\ ˌnü-​mə-​ˈkäk-​ˌsī How to pronounce pneumococci (audio) , -​ˌsē ; -​ˈkä-​ˌkī , -​ˌkē , ˌnyü-​ \

Definition of pneumococcus

: a bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that causes an acute pneumonia involving one or more lobes of the lung

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Other Words from pneumococcus

pneumococcal \ ˌnü-​mə-​ˈkä-​kəl How to pronounce pneumococcal (audio) , ˌnyü-​ \ adjective

Examples of pneumococcus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the data show that’s not the case: Not only did cases of measles plummet once vaccine use became widespread, but cases of other diseases dropped as well—pneumococcus, diarrhea, and more. National Geographic, "Measles vaccines protect against more than just measles. Here's how.," 4 Mar. 2019 The pneumococcus bacteria can cause deadly secondary infections, especially in older people who get the flu or whooping cough. Paul Sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Which vaccines do home caregivers need?," 24 Apr. 2018 Bacterial meningitis is often caused by pneumococcus, which can be prevented by vaccine. Lynne Terry, OregonLive.com, "Gresham mom, 36, gets flu; days later she dies," 24 Jan. 2018 But when our defenses fail us, pneumococcus can migrate, multiply, and set off life-threatening infectious disease. Annabelle Timsit, The Atlantic, "Drugs in Afghanistan and Vaccines in Bangladesh: The Week in Global-Affairs Writing," 27 Oct. 2017 Mrs. Clinton’s pneumonia affects her right lung’s middle lobe, according to Dr. Bardack, a location that suggests that it was caused by bacteria, commonly pneumococcus. Lawrence K. Altman, M.d., New York Times, "How Healthy Is Hillary Clinton? Doctors Weigh In," 18 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pneumococcus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pneumococcus

1885, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pneumococcus

New Latin

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More Definitions for pneumococcus

pneumococcus

noun
pneu·​mo·​coc·​cus | \ ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈkäk-əs How to pronounce pneumococcus (audio) \
plural pneumococci\ -​ˈkäk-​ˌ(s)ī How to pronounce pneumococci (audio) \

Medical Definition of pneumococcus

: a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus (S. pneumoniae) that causes an acute pneumonia involving one or more lobes of the lung