Definition

1. Noun:
   • A drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth: A substance used medically to treat bacterial infections by killing the bacteria or stopping their reproduction.
   • Any chemical agent that destroys bacteria: A chemical compound, not necessarily a medicinal drug, that is capable of killing bacteria.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Penicillin was the first widely used bactericide.
  • The laboratory uses a powerful bactericide to sterilize the equipment.
  • The new formula acts as both a cleaner and a bactericide.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In microbiology and public health, "bactericide" specifically refers to an agent that kills bacteria, as opposed to a "bacteriostatic" agent, which only inhibits growth.
  • The disinfectant's label confirmed it was a true bactericide, not merely bacteriostatic.

Variants and Related Words

• Bactericidal (adjective): Having the properties of a bactericide; able to kill bacteria.
  • The solution has strong bactericidal properties.
• Germicide (noun): A broader term for an agent that destroys microorganisms, especially pathogenic ones. While all bactericides are germicides, not all germicides are specific to bacteria (they may also kill viruses or fungi).

Synonyms

• Antibacterial: A substance active against bacteria.
• Disinfectant: A chemical liquid used to destroy bacteria on non-living surfaces.
• Antibiotic: A type of bactericide produced by or derived from microorganisms, used as medicine to treat infections.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "bactericide" emphasizes the action. It is often contrasted with "bacteriostatic," which means inhibiting bacterial growth without necessarily killing them.
• While many bactericides are used as drugs (antibiotics), the term also applies to chemicals used in cleaning, agriculture, and water treatment.

Noun

1. any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth
2. any chemical agent that destroys bacteria