staphylococcus
noun
staph·y·lo·coc·cus ˌsta-f(ə-)lō-ˈkä-kəs 
plural staphylococci ˌsta-f(ə-)lō-ˈkä-ˌkī
-(ˌ)kē;
-ˈkäk-ˌsī,
-(ˌ)sē
: any of a genus (Staphylococcus) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters and include causative agents of various diseases (such as skin infections, food poisoning, and endocarditis)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But potentially even more concerning are the pathogens that might cause pandemics because of their drug-resistant status, such as tuberculosis and staphylococcus, which are already widespread in many parts of the world. 
Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 9 May 2022 Also, some of the bacteria under nails can be found on the skin like staphylococcus which can lead to an infection. Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2022 The milk gets tested first to make sure it’s not treated with antibiotics, which are forbidden, and next for staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella and two other bacteria contaminants. Joshua Levine, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2021 That physician failed to identify a dangerous staphylococcus bacterial infection on Ed Palent's arm, which was later diagnosed by a dermatologist. Judith Graham, CNN, 17 Oct. 2021 Two common infectious triggers include streptococcal and staphylococcus infections, says Golant. Jillian Krame, Glamour, 20 July 2021 Toxic shock syndrome is specifically caused by some types of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria that produce toxins, the Mayo Clinic explains. Lauren Gruber, SELF, 16 June 2021 For 10 minutes, the device will utilize UV-C light to kill up to 99% of germs and bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcus. Kara Cuzzone, Forbes, 10 June 2021 As early as 1947, penicillin-resistant staphylococcus bacteria were found in hospitals in England, but few heeded Fleming’s warning. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020 See More
Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 9 May 2022 Also, some of the bacteria under nails can be found on the skin like staphylococcus which can lead to an infection. Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2022 The milk gets tested first to make sure it’s not treated with antibiotics, which are forbidden, and next for staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella and two other bacteria contaminants. Joshua Levine, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2021 That physician failed to identify a dangerous staphylococcus bacterial infection on Ed Palent's arm, which was later diagnosed by a dermatologist. Judith Graham, CNN, 17 Oct. 2021 Two common infectious triggers include streptococcal and staphylococcus infections, says Golant. Jillian Krame, Glamour, 20 July 2021 Toxic shock syndrome is specifically caused by some types of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria that produce toxins, the Mayo Clinic explains. Lauren Gruber, SELF, 16 June 2021 For 10 minutes, the device will utilize UV-C light to kill up to 99% of germs and bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcus. Kara Cuzzone, Forbes, 10 June 2021 As early as 1947, penicillin-resistant staphylococcus bacteria were found in hospitals in England, but few heeded Fleming’s warning. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek staphylē bunch of grapes + New Latin -coccus
First Known Use
1887, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
staphylococcus
noun
staph·y·lo·coc·cus ˌstaf-ə-lō-ˈkäk-əs
1
capitalized : a genus of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that is placed in either of two families (Staphylococcaceae or Micrococcaceae), contains forms occurring singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters, and includes causative agents of various diseases and disorders (as food poisoning, skin infections, and endocarditis)
2
plural staphylococci -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī : any bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus
: any bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus broadly : micrococcus sense 2