Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical or biological agent that inhibits bacterial growth: A "bacteriostat" is a substance that prevents bacteria from multiplying but does not necessarily kill them. It works by stopping or slowing down their reproduction.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory added a bacteriostat to the culture medium to study the bacteria without letting them overgrow.
  • Some food preservatives act as a bacteriostat, extending the product's shelf life.

Advanced Usage

• Bacteriostatic (adj): Describing the property of inhibiting bacterial growth.
  • The antibiotic has a bacteriostatic effect, halting the infection's spread.
• Bacteriostatic agent: A more formal or descriptive term for a bacteriostat.
  • Silver ions are known to be a potent bacteriostatic agent.

Variants and Related Words

• Bacteriostatic (adjective): Having the ability to inhibit bacterial growth.
• Bactericide (noun): An agent that kills bacteria. (Note: This is different from a bacteriostat, which inhibits growth).

Synonyms

• Growth inhibitor (specifically for bacteria).
• Microbiostatic agent (when referring to inhibiting various microbes, not just bacteria).

Antonyms

• Bactericide: A substance that kills bacteria.
• Growth promoter: An agent that stimulates bacterial growth.

Noun

1. a chemical or biological material that inhibits bacterial growth