Definition

A type of antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. It works against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is often used for infections in the urinary, respiratory, and intestinal systems.

Example

The doctor prescribed ampicillin to help clear up the infection.

Conversation

I just learned that ampicillin is used for treating certain infections.

Really? I didn't know it was that versatile.

Yeah, it can help with both urinary and respiratory infections.

That's interesting! It's amazing how many antibiotics we have available.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ampicillin is derived from "amino-" (meaning containing an amino group) and "penicillin" (from the Latin "penicillium", meaning a type of mold). The word refers to a type of antibiotic that contains an amino group and is derived from penicillin.

Memory Tip

Think of 'amino' as something that contains an amino group, and 'penicillin' as the mold it comes from. This helps you remember that ampicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin.

Visually Confused Words