Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pneumococcus

Noun
/ˌnjuːməˈkɒkəs/
Definition
A type of bacteria that causes pneumonia and other infections, particularly in children and the elderly.
Examples
  • The pneumococcus is often responsible for respiratory infections.
  • Vaccination can protect against certain strains of pneumococcus.
Meaning
Pneumococcus refers to the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, which can lead to diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
Synonyms
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Pneumonia-causing bacteria