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# streptococcus

noun (a streptococcus; plural streptococci)

«streptococcus» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

(science, medicine) Streptococcus is a type of round bacteria that grow in chains. Some kinds live harmlessly in us; others cause illnesses such as strep throat, scarlet fever and some skin and ear infections. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#m1)

### In the lessons

Science and health: doctors can test for «strep» with a throat swab; infections are usually treated with antibiotics, and you must finish the course. Washing hands and covering coughs helps stop the spread. Under a microscope streptococci look like strings of beads. Short everyday word: «strep» (strep throat, US).

### Examples

- Streptococcus bacteria look like chains of beads. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x1)
- The doctor tested for streptococcus with a throat swab. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x2)
- Strep throat is caused by streptococcus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x3)
- Scarlet fever is caused by a kind of streptococcus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x4)
- Streptococci are passed on by coughs and sneezes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x5)
- Antibiotics can kill streptococcus bacteria. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/#x6)

### Note

Said «strep-tuh-KOK-us». Plural: streptococci («strep-tuh-KOK-sye» or «-KOK-ee»). Often shortened to «strep». Antibiotics work on bacteria like these, not on viruses like colds.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «streptococcus» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/streptococcus/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«streptococcus» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/streptococcus.html) on Mova free.