# antibiotic

/ˌæntaɪbaɪˈɑtɪk/ (US) · /ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/antibiotic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. medicine for infections

noun · CEFR B2

a medicine that doctors give you to kill bacteria and cure an infection.

For teachers: a pharmacological agent used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting growth or destroying the pathogen.

- The doctor prescribed a ten-day course of antibiotics to clear up my ear infection.
- The physician emphasized the importance of completing the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the development of drug-resistant bacterial strains.

Usage: often used in the plural when referring to a course of treatment.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse antibiotics with antivirals; remind them that antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses like the common cold.

### 2. relating to antibiotics

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something that relates to or works like an antibiotic.

For teachers: pertaining to the properties or use of antibiotics.

- Some plants have natural antibiotic properties that help them fight off diseases.
- The research team is investigating the antibiotic effects of various soil-dwelling fungi in the hope of discovering new treatments.

Usage: usually placed before the noun.

## Examples

- The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for my sore throat.
- She finished the entire course of antibiotics to ensure the infection did not return.
- The overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics in modern agriculture has accelerated the development of drug-resistant bacterial strains, posing a significant challenge to global public health systems.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.