Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms: Describes a substance or agent that kills microbes (like bacteria, viruses, fungi) or stops them from growing and multiplying.

2. Noun:

   • An agent that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease: A specific substance, such as a chemical, drug, or physical agent (like heat), used to kill or inhibit harmful microbes.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The doctor prescribed an antimicrobic ointment for the skin infection.
  • Silver has known antimicrobic properties and is used in some wound dressings.

• Noun:

  • This new antimicrobic is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria.
  • Ultraviolet light is a powerful physical antimicrobic used for sterilizing surfaces.

Advanced Usage

• "Antimicrobic resistance": Refers to the ability of a microorganism to survive exposure to an antimicrobic agent that would normally kill it or inhibit its growth. This is a major global health concern.
  • The overuse of antibiotics has led to increased antimicrobic resistance in many bacterial strains.

Variants and Related Words

• Antimicrobial: This is a more common and completely synonymous variant for both the adjective and noun forms of "antimicrobic." The terms are often used interchangeably.
  • Antimicrobial stewardship programs are crucial in hospitals.
• Antiseptic (noun/adjective): A type of antimicrobic used on living tissue (like skin) to prevent infection.
• Disinfectant (noun/adjective): A type of antimicrobic used on non-living objects and surfaces to destroy pathogens.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Germicidal, microbicidal, antiseptic, disinfectant.
• Noun: Germicide, microbicide, biocide, antimicrobial agent.

Related Phrases

• Antimicrobic activity: The effectiveness or power of an agent in destroying or inhibiting microbes.
  • The study measured the antimicrobic activity of the plant extract.
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobic: An agent effective against a wide range of different microorganisms.
  • The patient was started on a broad-spectrum antimicrobic while awaiting lab results.

Adjective

1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms

Noun

1. an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease