Bacterium Meaning
/bækˈtɪəɹ.ɪəm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA single-celled organism with cell walls but no nucleus or organelles.
Sentence Examples
This bacterium is resistant to penicillin.
Do not confuse a virus with a bacterium.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
A single ____ can multiply rapidly under warm and moist conditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist identified a single ____ under the high power lens.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Ancient Greek βακτηρία (baktēría) Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Ancient Greek -ῐος (-ĭos)? Ancient Greek -ιον (-ion) Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion)bor. New Latin bactēriumbor. English bacterium From New Latin bactērium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion, “small staff”), from βακτηρία (baktēría).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field."
— 2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845, archived from the original on 14 Aug 2020:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A single ____ can multiply rapidly under warm and moist conditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist identified a single ____ under the high power lens.