penicillin

noun

pen·​i·​cil·​lin ˌpe-nə-ˈsi-lən 

1

: any of several relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids of the general formula C₉H₁₁N₂O₄SR that are produced by molds (genus Penicillium and especially P. notatum or P. chrysogenum) or synthetically and are used especially against gram-positive cocci

also : a mixture of such acids

2

: a salt or ester of a penicillin or a mixture of such salts or esters

Examples of penicillin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The medallion contains a specimen of the original penicillin mold on blotting paper, mounted within a glass disc held in place by a black plastic rim 53 millimeters (two inches) in diameter, according to the auction listing. —Jack Guy, CNN, 2 Oct. 2024

While penicillin was a game-changer, microorganisms were able to quickly adapt developing mutations to neutralize the effects of this antibiotic, sort of like those robot sentinels in the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

The penicillin family contains ampicillin, which is usually injected, and amoxicillin, which is often administered as a pill. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

The list covers common prescriptions like penicillin, metformin, lithium and albuterol asthma inhalers. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Penicillium

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

penicillin

noun

pen·​i·​cil·​lin ˌpen-ə-ˈsil-ən 

: any of several antibiotics or a mixture of these produced by penicillia or in the laboratory and used especially against round disease-producing bacteria

Etymology

from scientific Latin Penicillium "a genus of molds producing antibiotics," from Latin penicillus, literally, "little tail" — related to pencil

Medical Definition

penicillin

noun

pen·​i·​cil·​lin ˌpen-ə-ˈsil-ən 

1

: a mixture of relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids produced especially by molds of the genus Penicillium (as P. notatum or P. chrysogenum) and having a powerful bacteriostatic effect against various chiefly gram-positive bacteria (as staphylococci, gonococci, pneumococci, hemolytic streptococci, or some meningococci)

2

: any of numerous often hygroscopic and unstable amido acids (as penicillin G, penicillin O, and penicillin V) that have a structure in which a four-membered lactam ring shares a nitrogen and a carbon atom with a thiazolidine ring to which it is fused and that are components of the penicillin mixture or are produced biosynthetically by the use of different strains of molds or different media or are synthesized chemically

3

: a salt or ester of a penicillin acid or a mixture of such salts or esters