Added 8 October 2026
bacteria
/bakˈtɪə̯.ri.ə/ noun
Latin root: bacteria Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bacteria at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- (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.
Origin
Borrowed from New Latin bacteria, plural of bactērium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion, “little rod”); by surface analysis, bacteri(um) + -a.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)