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Definition of "erythromycin" [erythromycin]

  • An antibiotic obtained from a strain of the actinomycete Streptomyces erythreus, effective against many gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "erythromycin" in a sentence
  • "For this reason many doctors now routinely prescribe certain antibiotics, namely erythromycin or penicillin, for any woman who gets pregnant and has a history of repeated miscarriage."
  • "Other polyketides include erythromycin, which is used to cure many bacterial infections, and doxorubin, which is used as an anti-cancer drug."
  • "In more severe cases, antibiotics such as erythromycin or a fluoroquinolone can be used, and can shorten the duration of symptoms if they are given early in the illness."