bacteriostasis

9.9

To stop bacteria from growing without killing them

noun
/bækˌtɪəriəˈsteɪsɪs/

Specialized

: bacteriostasis

The antibiotic caused bacteriostasis rather than killing the bacteria completely.

Examples

Researchers observed bacteriostasis in cultures treated with the new compound.
The bacteriostasis process is crucial in food preservation.
In clinical settings, achieving bacteriostasis can help control infections without promoting resistance.
Antibiotics can induce bacteriostasis in certain bacteria.
In clinical settings, achieving bacteriostasis can help control infections without promoting resistance.
Researchers observed bacteriostasis in cultures treated with a new compound designed to inhibit bacterial growth.
The antibiotic caused bacteriostasis by preventing bacterial reproduction, thus managing the infection effectively.

Antonyms

bacteriolytic

Specialized

9.9

Causing bacteria to break open and die

How Destructive

bacteriolysis

Specialized

9.9

bactericide

Specialized

6.3

bacteriostasis

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

bacteriostasis singular

bacteriostases plural

Morphology

bacteriostasis = stasis (semi-transparent) = bacterio + stasis

The combining form 'bacterio-' clearly signals a relation to bacteria, but '-stasis' is a technical medical term that many learners may not know, so the meaning 'stopping of bacterial growth' is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

The word bacteriostasis comes from bacterio- meaning 'bacteria' and -stasis meaning 'standing still', the same idea you see in static. So, bacteriostasis means making bacteria 'stand still' — they stop growing or reproducing without being killed.