Definition of BACTERIA

bacteria

Plural: bacteriae, bacterias

Noun

  • (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
  • plural of bacterium
  • A type, species, or strain of bacterium.
  • Alternative form of bacterium.
  • Lowlife, slob (could be treated as plural or singular).
  • An oval bacterium, as distinguished from a spherical coccus or rod-shaped bacillus.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin bacteria, plural of bactērium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion, “little rod”).

Synonyms

bacterium

Scrabble Score: 12

bacteria is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
bacteria is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bacteria is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

bacteria is a valid Words With Friends word