mycoplasma

noun

my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə 

plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə-tə 

: any of a genus (Mycoplasma of the family Mycoplasmataceae) of pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that lack a cell wall and are mostly parasitic usually in mammals

called also pleuropneumonia-like organism

mycoplasmal

ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-məl 

adjective

Examples of mycoplasma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the numbers have been even more eye-popping for walking pneumonia, which is caused by the bacteria mycoplasma pneumoniae. —Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024

Then Munro caught a mycoplasma infection from her daughter. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Medically known as mycoplasma pneumonia, this is a bacteria that causes respiratory tract infections, LaPook explained, adding there can be a range of no symptoms to mild and severe symptoms. —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024

Because mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with a course of antibiotics. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mycoplasma

• mycoplasma-like organism

Medical Definition

mycoplasma

noun

my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə 

1

capitalized : the type genus of the family Mycoplasmataceae containing minute pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that are mostly parasitic usually in mammals see pleuropneumonia sense 2

2

plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata -mət-ə  : any bacterium of the genus Mycoplasma or of the family Mycoplasmataceae

called also pleuropneumonia-like organism, PPLO

mycoplasmal

-məl 

adjective