streptococcus
noun
strep·to·coc·cus
| \ ˌstrep-tə-ˈkä-kəs
\
\
plural streptococci\ ˌstrep-tə-ˈkä-ˌkī
, -(ˌ)kē ; -ˈkäk-ˌsī , -(ˌ)sē \
, -(ˌ)kē ; -ˈkäk-ˌsī , -(ˌ)sē \
Definition of streptococcus
: any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile and parasitic gram-positive bacteria that divide only in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important pathogens of humans and domestic animals
broadly
: a coccus occurring in chains
Examples of streptococcus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nevertheless, the scientists are rigorously screening mothers participating in these trials for microbes such as HIV and group B streptococcus—a common vaginal bacterium that causes respiratory problems in newborns. — Sara Reardon, Scientific American, "Trials Test if C-section Babies Benefit From Mom’s Microbes," 17 Aug. 2019 Necrotizing fasciitis, the medical name for the condition that most call flesh-eating bacteria, Nizet noted, is most often caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria, usually called Strep and Staph. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Expert: Flesh-eating bacteria often present in the body before severe infection takes hold," 19 July 2019 Several different types of bacteria can cause the disease, including streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat, and others found in soil, animals and nature. — Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "What to Know About Necrotizing Fasciitis — the Flesh-Eating Bacteria Showing Up at Beaches," 27 June 2019 Officials with the Mid Essex National Health Service Department issued a warning this month after 32 cases of invasive Group A streptococcus (IGAS) were reported in the Braintree and Maldon District as well as in Chelmsford City. — Fox News, "Outbreak of rare bacterial infection kills 12 in the UK, officials say," 27 June 2019 The results found all types of bacteria, like staphylococcus, streptococcus, bacillus cereus, and E. coli. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "6 Places Germs Are Hiding In Your House," 11 Oct. 2018 Patrice Comey launched a campaign to require doctors and hospitals to test for Group B streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can be treated with penicillin during delivery if detected toward the end of a pregnancy. — Susan Page, USA TODAY, "James Comey: Lessons he learned from the tragic loss of his infant son," 16 Apr. 2018 Coley dug deeper and found a few other cases of remission from cancer after a streptococcus infection. — Greg Kahn, Smithsonian, "Could Immunotherapy Lead the Way to Fighting Cancer?," 22 Mar. 2018 Studies have shown that solutions of cinnamon oil can kill a number of common bacteria, such as streptococcus and E. coli. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Cinnamon: Pantry staple -- and medical powerhouse?," 8 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'streptococcus.' 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 streptococcus
streptococcus
noun
English Language Learners Definition of streptococcus
medical
: a type of bacteria that causes diseases in people and animals
See the full definition for streptococcus in the English Language Learners Dictionary
streptococcus
noun
strep·to·coc·cus
| \ -ˈkäk-əs
\
\
Medical Definition of streptococcus
1
capitalized
: a genus of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile and parasitic gram-positive bacteria (family Streptococcaceae) that divide only in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important pathogens of humans and domestic animals
2
plural streptococci\ -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī \
: any bacterium of the genus Streptococcus
broadly
: a coccus occurring in chains
\
: any bacterium of the genus Streptococcus
broadly
: a coccus occurring in chains