Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of bacteria: Bacteroides is the type genus of the family Bacteroidaceae. It consists of Gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobic bacteria that do not produce endospores or pigment and commonly live in the intestines of humans and animals.

Usage Notes

• The word is a proper noun, referring to a specific genus in scientific classification. It is always capitalized.
• It is typically used in scientific, medical, and microbiological contexts when discussing gut flora, infections, or bacterial taxonomy.

Examples

• species are among the most abundant bacteria in the human colon.
• The study focused on the role of in carbohydrate fermentation.
• An infection caused by can be difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in its plural form (" spp." or " species") to refer to multiple species within the genus.
• In clinical settings, it may be referenced in diagnoses, such as " bacteremia" (bacteria in the blood).

Variants and Related Words

• Bacteroidaceae (n): The family of bacteria to which the genus belongs.
• Bacteroid (n/adjective):
  • (Noun) A rod-shaped bacterium, especially one of the genus Bacteroides.
  • (Adjective) Resembling bacteria of the genus Bacteroides.

Synonyms

• Anaerobic gram-negative rod (descriptive synonym, not a taxonomic name).

Noun

1. type genus of Bacteroidaceae; genus of Gram-negative rodlike anaerobic bacteria producing no endospores and no pigment and living in the gut of man and animals