VocabDictionary

bacterium

/bækˈtɪə.ri.əm/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.

Example Sentences:
  • The doctor prescribed antibiotics to kill the harmful bacterium causing the infection.
  • Not every bacterium is dangerous; many are essential for human digestion and ecosystem health.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “bacterium”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the New Latin 'bacterium', which comes from the Greek 'bakterion', meaning 'small staff' or 'little rod'. This term was coined by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1838 to describe the rod-shaped microorganisms he observed under a microscope.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'back' that is 'terium' (terrifying) because it is covered in tiny rod-shaped germs.

Frequently Asked Questions About “bacterium

1. What is the meaning of “bacterium” in English?

In English, bacterium (noun) is defined as: “A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.”.

2. How do you use “bacterium” in a sentence?

The doctor prescribed antibiotics to kill the harmful bacterium causing the infection.

3. What are English synonyms of “bacterium”?

Common synonyms include:microbe,germ,microorganism,bacillus

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “bacterium”?

Derived from the New Latin 'bacterium', which comes from the Greek 'bakterion', meaning 'small staff' or 'little rod'. This term was coined by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1838 to describe the rod-shaped microorganisms he observed under a microscope.