lincomycin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “lincomycin” mean?
An antibiotic derived from Streptomyces lincolnensis, used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly those caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain Gram-positive organisms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An antibiotic derived from Streptomyces lincolnensis, used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly those caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain Gram-positive organisms.
A lincosamide-class antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. It is often used as a second-line treatment when patients are allergic to penicillin or when bacteria are resistant to other antibiotics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences exist between British and American English for this technical term. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “lincomycin” in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed lincomycin for the infection.Lincomycin is used to treat [infection type].The bacteria showed resistance to lincomycin.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lincomycin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lincomycin-resistant strain spread through the ward.
- A lincomycin-based regimen was initiated.
American English
- The lincomycin-resistant strain spread through the ward.
- A lincomycin-based regimen was started.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical manufacturing, marketing, or regulatory affairs.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, microbiology, and veterinary science research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical notes, drug formularies, medical guidelines, and scientific literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lincomycin”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lincomycin”
- Misspelling as 'lyncomycin', 'lincomicine', or 'lincomysin'.
- Incorrectly classifying it as a penicillin or macrolide antibiotic.
- Using it in a general context instead of a strict medical one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily used for serious infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as streptococci and staphylococci, particularly when other antibiotics cannot be used.
No, it is not a first-line treatment. It is typically reserved for specific cases, such as penicillin allergies or infections with bacteria resistant to more common antibiotics.
Yes, it is available in oral capsules and an injectable form. The route of administration depends on the severity and type of infection.
A serious potential side effect is pseudomembranous colitis, a severe inflammation of the colon caused by an overgrowth of *Clostridium difficile* bacteria.
An antibiotic derived from Streptomyces lincolnensis, used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly those caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain Gram-positive organisms.
Lincomycin is usually technical/medical in register.
Lincomycin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪŋkəʊˈmaɪsɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɪŋkoʊˈmaɪsɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LINCOLN's mycin' – Lincoln (as in the bacterium *Streptomyces lincolnensis*) produces this 'mycin' (a common suffix for antibiotics).
Conceptual Metaphor
ANTIBIOTIC AS A KEY: Lincomycin is a specific key that fits the lock (the bacterial ribosome) to stop the machine (protein production).
Practice
Quiz
Lincomycin belongs to which class of antibiotics?