gonococcus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “gonococcus” mean?
The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea.
A gram-negative, coffee bean-shaped diplococcus bacterium that specifically infects mucous membranes, primarily of the urogenital tract, but can also infect the throat, eyes, and rectum.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage. Standard in medical literature in both regions.
Connotations
Exclusively clinical and microbiological. Carries connotations of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, public health, and antibiotic resistance.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to medical and public health contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gonococcus” in a Sentence
The [sample/test] revealed gonococcus.Gonococcus was cultured from the [swab/specimen].The patient was infected with gonococcus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gonococcus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gonococcal arthritis was a complication of the untreated infection.
American English
- She was treated for a gonococcal urethritis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical textbooks, microbiology papers, and clinical research on sexually transmitted infections.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation. The condition 'gonorrhea' is the common term.
Technical
Core term in clinical microbiology, infectious disease medicine, sexual health, and public health reporting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gonococcus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gonococcus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gonococcus”
- Misspelling as 'gonococus' (missing one 'c').
- Using 'gonococcus' to refer to the disease (gonorrhea) instead of the bacterium.
- Incorrect plural: 'gonococcuses' instead of 'gonococci'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is the bacterium. Gonorrhea is the disease caused by that bacterium.
Yes. While most common in the genital tract, it can also infect the rectum, throat, and eyes (e.g., in newborns during birth).
It is typically detected through laboratory testing of a swab from the infected site or a urine sample, using culture, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), or microscopy.
Because strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have developed resistance to nearly every antibiotic used for treatment, making it a prime example of a multidrug-resistant organism.
The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea.
Gonococcus is usually technical/medical in register.
Gonococcus: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡɒn.əˈkɒk.əs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡɑː.nəˈkɑː.kəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GONO (as in gonorrhea) + COCCUS (shape of the bacterium, resembling a berry/round). 'The round berry that causes gonorrhea'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATHOGEN AS INVADER / ENEMY (common in medical discourse: 'fighting the gonococcus', 'resistant strains').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary public health concern associated with gonococcus in the 21st century?