Bacterium
/bækˈtɪəriəm/
nounIntermediateCommonScience
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A single-celled prokaryotic organism, often microscopic, that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
/bækˈtɪəriəm/
nounneutralIntermediate
Science
A single-celled organism
Many bacteria are beneficial to human health.
💡 Simply: A tiny living thing, too small to see without a microscope.
More Examples
2
Harmful bacteria can cause illness.
How It's Used
Medical
"The doctor identified the bacterium causing the infection."
Biology
"This experiment studies the growth patterns of various bacteria."
From New Latin bacterium, diminutive of Greek baktērion ‘small staff, rod’, from baktēria ‘staff’.
The word 'bacterium' came into use in the late 19th century with the rise of microbiology.
Memory tip
Think 'back-tear-ium': bacteria can make you cry (from an infection).
Practice
Base: bacterium
bacterimbacteariumbacteriums
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written