Definition

Noun: A vibrion is a type of curved, rod-shaped bacterium that is capable of moving on its own (motile). This term is often used in microbiology to describe bacteria with a characteristic comma-like shape.

Usage Examples

• The water sample was tested for the presence of vibrions and other pathogens.
• Under the microscope, the vibrion displayed its distinctive curved morphology.
• Some species of vibrion can cause serious gastrointestinal illnesses.

Advanced Usage

• The term vibrion is often used in a technical, scientific context, particularly in medicine, veterinary science, and environmental microbiology. It is less common in everyday language.
• Historically, the genus was more broadly defined, and "vibrion" was a common term for any curved bacterium. In modern taxonomy, it is closely associated with bacteria belonging to the genus .

Variants and Related Words

• Vibrio (noun): The current standard genus name for many bacteria formerly or commonly called vibrions. (e.g., , the causative agent of cholera).
• Vibrionic (adjective): Relating to or caused by vibrions. (e.g., vibrionic infection).

Synonyms

• Curved rod bacterium
• Comma bacillus (an older, descriptive term)

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most specific meaning of vibrion is a motile, curved rod-shaped bacterium. While it is a synonym for bacteria in the genus Vibrio, its usage can sometimes be slightly broader or more historical. It does not refer to viruses, fungi, or straight rod-shaped bacteria like E. coli.

Noun

1. curved rodlike motile bacterium