Definition of "broad-spectrum" [broad-spectrum]

• Widely applicable or effective: a broad-spectrum antibiotic. (adjective)

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.

• "What's more, the most commonly used antibiotics in all patients with bacteria in their urine were quinolones, which are known as "broad-spectrum" antibiotics."
• "And if fever and other signs suggest the possibility of severe infection, while waiting for definitive answers about whether there is infection, and if so, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be used."
• "While some hospitals will start a broad-spectrum antibiotic right away, the group suggests a blood-culture test to identify the organism that is causing the infection—as long as it doesn't cause a significant delay in starting antibiotics."