STREP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does strep mean? 

• STREP (noun)
  The noun STREP has 1 sense:

1. spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis

  Familiarity information: STREP used as a noun is very rare.

• STREP (adjective)
  The adjective STREP has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to or caused by streptococci

  Familiarity information: STREP used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STREP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

strep; streptococci; streptococcus

Hypernyms ("strep" is a kind of...):

eubacteria; eubacterium; true bacteria (a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella)

Holonyms ("strep" is a member of...):

genus Streptococcus (a genus of bacteria)

Derivation:

strep (of or relating to or caused by streptococci)

• STREP (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or caused by streptococci

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

strep; streptococcal; streptococcic

Pertainym:

streptococcus (spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis)

Derivation:

strep (spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis)

 Context examples 

Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, such as: • Colds • Flu • Most coughs and bronchitis • Sore throats, unless caused by strep

(Antibiotics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are the most common cause.

(Cellulitis, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

For example, you may need to take antibiotics if you develop an infection with group B strep, or take medicines if you have genital herpes.

(Infections and Pregnancy, NIH)

It is usually caused by staphylococcal (staph) bacteria, but it can also be caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria.

(Impetigo, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)