tetracycline: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “tetracycline” mean?
A broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against many bacteria.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against many bacteria.
A class of yellow crystalline antibiotics derived from certain soil bacteria (Streptomyces), commonly used to treat acne, respiratory infections, and other bacterial diseases. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or use. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral medical/clinical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, confined to medical and scientific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tetracycline” in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed [PATIENT] tetracycline for [INFECTION].[INFECTION] was treated with tetracycline.Tetracycline is effective against [BACTERIA].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tetracycline” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tetracycline group of antibiotics.
- Tetracycline resistance is a growing concern.
American English
- Tetracycline therapy
- A tetracycline-based ointment
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Pharmaceutical companies may produce or market generic tetracycline.
Academic
Discussed in pharmacology, microbiology, and medical research papers regarding antibiotic resistance.
Everyday
A patient might say, "My doctor put me on tetracycline for my chest infection."
Technical
Detailed discussion of its mechanism of action, binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, and spectrum of activity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tetracycline”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tetracycline”
- Misspelling as 'tetracyline' or 'tetracyclin'. Incorrect use as a verb (e.g., 'They tetracyclined the wound').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, tetracycline is an antibiotic and only effective against bacterial infections. It has no effect on viruses.
No, dairy products can bind to tetracycline in the gut and significantly reduce its absorption, making it less effective.
It means the antibiotic is effective against a wide range of different types of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
It can permanently stain developing teeth a yellow-grey-brown colour and may also affect bone growth in young children.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against many bacteria.
Tetracycline is usually technical / medical in register.
Tetracycline: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtet.rəˈsaɪ.kliːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌte.trəˈsaɪ.kliːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"TETRA (four) CYCLES (rings) in its chemical structure keep bacteria in LINE (cycline)."
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A WEAPON ("Tetracycline fights the infection."); CHEMICAL STRUCTURE IS A SHAPE ("The tetracycline molecule has four fused rings.")
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of tetracycline?