Antimicrobial is a term that is commonly used in the medical field to refer to substances that are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These substances are used to prevent or treat infections caused by these microorganisms. In this article, we will explore the meaning, definitions, and associations of antimicrobial.
Definitions
Antimicrobial is a term that is used to describe substances that are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. These substances can be natural or synthetic and are used to prevent or treat infections caused by microorganisms.
Origin
The term antimicrobial comes from the Greek words anti, meaning “against,” and mikros, meaning “small.” The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe substances that were effective against microorganisms.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, antimicrobial is defined as “destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines antimicrobial as “a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, especially pathogenic bacteria.”
Associations
Antimicrobial is associated with the medical field, particularly with the prevention and treatment of infections caused by microorganisms. It is also associated with the use of antibiotics, which are a type of antimicrobial substance.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antimicrobial include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic.
Antonyms
The antonyms of antimicrobial include non-antimicrobial, non-bactericidal, and non-virucidal.
The same root words
Some words that have the same root as antimicrobial include microbe, microbiology, and microorganism.
Example Sentences
- The doctor prescribed an antimicrobial medication to treat the infection.
- The use of antimicrobial substances has helped to reduce the incidence of infections in hospitals.
- The laboratory tested the effectiveness of various antimicrobial agents against the bacteria.
- The antimicrobial properties of honey have been known for centuries.
- The development of antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern in the medical community.