Penicillin is a drug that kills bacteria and is used to treat infections.
penicillin in British English
(ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪn)
noun
any of a group of antibiotics with powerful bactericidal action, used to treat many types of infections, including pneumonia, gonorrhoea, and infections caused by streptococci and staphylococci: originally obtained from the fungus Penicillium, esp P. notatum. Formula: R-C9H11N2O4S where R is one of several side chains
Word origin
C20: from penicillium
penicillin in American English
(ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪn)
noun
any of a group of isomeric, antibiotic compounds with the general formula C9H11N2O4SR, obtained from the filtrates of certain molds (esp., Penicillium notatum and P. chrysogenum) or produced synthetically
Word origin
< penicillium + -in1
penicillin in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(pɛnɪsɪlɪn)
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Drugs)
Penicillin is one of any of a group of antibiotics that kills bacteria and is used to treatmany types of infections, including pneumonia and gonorrhea.
Penicillin is used to treat and prevent infections caused by bacteria.
One of the most powerful antibiotics, penicillin, is used to treat pneumonia.
Penicillin is one of any of a group of antibiotics that kills bacteria and is used to treatmany types of infections, including pneumonia and gonorrhea.
Examples of 'penicillin' in a sentence
penicillin
No government forces a hospital to give penicillin to a patient who has pointed out that he is allergic to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Computers have not really changed the world, not the way railways did or penicillin.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
penicillin
British English: penicillin /ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪn/ NOUN
Penicillin is a drug that kills bacteria and is used to treat infections.