Definitions for penicillin
ˌpɛn əˈsɪl ɪnpeni·cillin

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. penicillinnoun

   any of various antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases

GCIDE(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. penicillinnoun

   Any of a variety of substances having a structure containing a beta-lactam ring fused to a thiirane ring, to which a carboxyl group is attached, but most commonly interpreted as benzyl penicillin. They are notable as powerful antibacterial agents of relatively low toxicity which have found extensive use in medicine for treating bacterial infections. They are categorized as one of the classes of beta-lactam antibiotic. They are produced naturally by some fungi and bacteria, and industrial production processes almost invariably start from some form of the penicillin nucleus produced by fermentation of microorganisms. The fermentation products are then chemically modified to produce derivatives of enhanced potency, safety, or antibacterial spectrum. The first penicillin to see extensive use clinically (during World War II) was penicillin G, also called benzypenicillin, and commonly simply

   Etymology: [From Penicillium, the fungus genus from which it was first isolated.]

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. penicillinnoun

   Any of a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds or synthesized; they have a beta-lactam structure; most are active against gram-positive bacteria and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases.

   Etymology: Coined by Alexander Fleming after Penicillium notatum (now Penicillium chrysogenum), a fungus from which penicillin is obtained.

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Penicillin

   Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V. Penicillin antibiotics are historically significant because they are the first drugs that were effective against many previously serious diseases, such as syphilis, and infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci. Penicillins are still widely used today, though many types of bacteria are now resistant. All penicillins are β-lactam antibiotics and are used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually Gram-positive, organisms.

Matched Categories

1. • Antibiotic

How to pronounce penicillin?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say penicillin in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of penicillin in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of penicillin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of penicillin in a Sentence

1. Saturday Review:

   Penicillin was indeed the product of accidental discovery, but the discovery was made, and the knowledge developed, because certain scientists had definite goals in mind. "Chance," Pastuer wrote, "favors only the prepared mind." The mind must be prepared not only by scientific training and technological know-how, but also by the awareness of social needs.

2. Alan Cooper:

   Apparently, Neanderthals possessed a good knowledge of medicinal plants and their various anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties..., the use of antibiotics would be very surprising, as this is more than 40,000 years before we developed penicillin.

3. Muhammad Ali:

   If they can make penicillin out of mouldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.

4. Amesh Adalja:

   Antibiotics resistance isn’t just something that happened after the discovery of penicillin.

Images & Illustrations of penicillin

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