SUPERBUG

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does superbug mean? 

• SUPERBUG (noun)
  The noun SUPERBUG has 2 senses:

1. a strain of bacteria that is resistant to all antibiotics

2. a strain of pest accidentally imported into Florida from the Middle East then spread to California where it is a very serious pest feeding on almost all vegetable crops and poinsettias

  Familiarity information: SUPERBUG used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPERBUG (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A strain of bacteria that is resistant to all antibiotics

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

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

bacteria; bacterium ((microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A strain of pest accidentally imported into Florida from the Middle East then spread to California where it is a very serious pest feeding on almost all vegetable crops and poinsettias

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

Bemisia tabaci; poinsettia strain; superbug

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

sweet-potato whitefly (a variety of whitefly)

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

Bemisia; genus Bemisia (sweet-potato whitefly)

 Context examples 

Researchers in the United Kingdom established that poor hygiene by humans, specifically insufficient hand washing after defecation, is especially responsible for the spread of antibiotic-resistant — superbug — strains of Escerichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.

(Wash your hands or else spread superbug E. coli, say scientists, Wikinews)

Superbugs are pathogens, or disease-causing microorganisms, resistant to multiple antibiotics.

(New answer to MRSA, other 'superbug' infections: clay minerals?, NSF)

Dr Guo said while it was well-known the overuse and misuse of antibiotics could create 'superbugs', researchers were unaware that other chemicals could also induce antibiotic resistance until now.

(Toothpaste and Hand Wash Are Causing Antibiotic Resistance, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A team of researchers at McMaster University has developed a self-cleaning surface that can repel all forms of bacteria, preventing the transfer of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and other dangerous bacteria in settings ranging from hospitals to kitchens.

(Scientists Create Superbug-Resistant Self-Cleaning Surface, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

We wanted to find out how these superbugs are spread — and whether there is a cross-over from the food chain to humans said lead author Professor David Livermore of the University of East Anglia's medical school.

(Wash your hands or else spread superbug E. coli, say scientists, Wikinews)