Bacterium: meaning, definitions and examples

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bacterium

[ bækˈtɪəriəm ]

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microscopic organism

A bacterium is a single-celled microorganism that can be found almost everywhere, including soil, water, and inside the human body. Bacteria can be both beneficial and harmful to humans, playing a crucial role in processes such as digestion and decomposition.

Synonyms

germ, microbe, microorganism

Examples of usage

Bacterium are too small to be seen without a microscope.
Some bacterium can cause infections if they enter the body.

Translations

Translations of the word "bacterium" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bactéria

🇮🇳 जीवाणु

🇩🇪 Bakterium

🇮🇩 bakteri

🇺🇦 бактерія

🇵🇱 bakteria

🇯🇵 細菌 (さいきん)

🇫🇷 bactérie

🇪🇸 bacteria

🇹🇷 bakteri

🇰🇷 박테리아

🇸🇦 بكتيريا

🇨🇿 bakterie

🇸🇰 baktéria

🇨🇳 细菌 (xìjūn)

🇸🇮 bakterija

🇮🇸 gerill

🇰🇿 бактерия

🇬🇪 ბაქტერია

🇦🇿 bakteriya

🇲🇽 bacteria

Word origin

The word 'bacterium' comes from the Greek word 'bakterion', meaning 'small rod' or 'staff'. The concept of bacteria as microscopic organisms was first proposed by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century, although the term 'bacterium' was not used until later. The study of bacteria, known as bacteriology, has significantly advanced our understanding of microbiology and its impact on various fields.