Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for bacterium. Search instead for kariesbakteriums.
Definitions

bacterium

[bak-teer-ee-uhm] / bækˈtɪər i əm /
NOUN
cell
Synonyms
STRONGEST
egg germ unit
STRONG
corpuscle embryo follicle microorganism spore utricle vacuole
WEAK
cellule haematid
NOUN
ferment
Synonyms
STRONG
bacteria barm ebullition enzyme leaven leavening mold seethe simmer yeast
WEAK
fermentation agent
Antonyms
WEAK
calm contentedness happiness peace pleasure
NOUN
germ
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antibody bug disease microbe microorganism pathogen virus
WEAK
parasite what's going around
NOUN
microbe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bacillus bug germ microorganism pathogen virus
STRONG
crud plague
NOUN
microorganism
Synonyms
STRONGEST
microbe pathogen virus
STRONG
bug disease
WEAK
disease-causing agent parasite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One lowly bacterium possesses a flagellum—a tiny tail or rotor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

So a lot of the focus is on changes to the bacterium and whether people have less immunity.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In animal models of human breast cancer, the presence of this bacterium sped up tumor growth and increased the spread of cancer cells from the breast to the lungs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

Agricultural use of insect diseases, caused by a bacterium highly specific for certain lypes of insects, is already being tried in California, and more extended tests of this method are under way.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Vocabulary lists containing bacterium

Unit 8: Vocabulary from Readings 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!