probiotic

noun

pro·​bi·​ot·​ic prō-bī-ˈä-tik 

-bē-ˈä-

: a microorganism (such as lactobacillus) that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract

also : a product or preparation that contains such microorganisms compare prebiotic

probiotic adjective

Examples of probiotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both prebiotics and probiotics can increase immunoglobulin A (IgA). —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025

Cucumbers that are lacto-fermented are a good source of probiotics, such as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, a LAB that has gut-health promoting and anticancer properties.3 However, not all pickles are good sources of probiotics. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Aug. 2025

Cut back on alcohol for a week, drink water with electrolytes, and load up on mineral-rich greens, enzymes, and probiotics to help restore gut health. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

This probiotic produced a bacteriocin, a kind of potent natural antibiotic produced by bacteria, that directly inhibited the C. difficile bacterium. —New Atlas, 26 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

pro- entry 2 + -biotic (as in antibiotic)

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probiotic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• patriotic
• prebiotic
• prokaryotic
• semiotic

Medical Definition

probiotic

noun

pro·​bi·​ot·​ic prō-bī-ˈät-ik, -bē- 

: a microorganism (such as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium) that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract

also : a product or preparation that contains such microorganisms compare prebiotic

probiotic adjective