metronidazole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical)Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “metronidazole” mean?
A synthetic antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites.
Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole-class drug effective against protozoal infections like giardiasis and amoebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections, including those affecting the abdomen, skin, vagina, and joints.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No differences in meaning or usage between British and American English in a medical context. It is a standardised international drug name.
Connotations
Purely clinical and pharmaceutical.
Frequency
Frequency is equally low in both dialects, confined to medical/healthcare discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “metronidazole” in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed ~ for the infection.~ is used to treat trichomoniasis.The patient is on ~.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metronidazole” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- metronidazole-resistant organisms
- a standard metronidazole regimen
American English
- metronidazole-resistant bacteria
- a common metronidazole prescription
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, marketing, and regulatory documents.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacology, and microbiology research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Used only when discussing a specific prescription with a doctor or pharmacist.
Technical
The primary context. Used in diagnosis, treatment plans, clinical guidelines, and patient notes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metronidazole”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metronidazole”
- Misspelling: 'metronidazol' (missing the 'e').
- Incorrect Pronunciation: stressing the first syllable (ME-tronidazole) instead of the third (met-ro-ni-DA-zole).
- Using it as a general term for any antibiotic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly used to treat infections like bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, amoebic dysentery, giardiasis, and infections caused by anaerobic bacteria in the abdomen or after surgery.
Metronidazole can cause a severe reaction (disulfiram-like reaction) with alcohol, leading to nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, and rapid heartbeat.
Yes, it is classified as an antibiotic with specific activity against anaerobic bacteria, and it also has antiprotozoal properties.
Yes, it is sometimes prescribed by dentists for acute dental infections involving anaerobic bacteria, such as dental abscesses or severe periodontitis.
A synthetic antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites.
Metronidazole is usually technical/medical in register.
Metronidazole: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛ.trəʊˈnaɪ.də.zəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛ.trəˈnaɪ.dəˌzoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "METRO train gets rid of NASTY bugs (flagylates) with its AZOLE power." (Metro-nid-azole)
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this technical term.
Practice
Quiz
Metronidazole is primarily effective against which type of microorganisms?