penicillin
pehn-ih-SIHL-ihn
Penicillin (noun) means an antibiotic medicine derived from Penicillium mold, used to treat bacterial infections. Example: “The doctor prescribed penicillin for his throat infection.”
noun
1
An antibiotic medicine derived from Penicillium mold, used to treat bacterial infections.
"The doctor prescribed penicillin for his throat infection."
"Some people have a serious allergic reaction to penicillin."
How to use penicillin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA widely used antibiotic drug made from a type of mold.
Common mistake
Penicillin allergies are common and can be serious — always mention them to a doctor before treatment.
Common pairings
allergic to penicillin
a course of penicillin
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Word forms
- Plural
- penicillins
Fill the gap
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The doctor prescribed _____ for his throat infection.
Etymology
Named after the Penicillium mold from which it was first isolated; coined by Alexander Fleming, who discovered it in 1928.
Rhymes for penicillin
See all rhymes for penicillin →Frequently asked questions
What does “penicillin” mean?
The word “penicillin” means an antibiotic medicine derived from Penicillium mold, used to treat bacterial infections. In plain terms, a widely used antibiotic drug made from a type of mold.
How do you pronounce “penicillin”?
“Penicillin” is pronounced pehn-ih-SIHL-ihn (/ˌpɛn.ɪˈsɪl.ɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “penicillin” in a sentence?
Here is “penicillin” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed penicillin for his throat infection.”
What part of speech is “penicillin”?
“Penicillin” is a noun.
Where does the word “penicillin” come from?
The word “penicillin” dates back to around 1928. Named after the Penicillium mold from which it was first isolated; coined by Alexander Fleming, who discovered it in 1928.
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