streptococcal

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

strep•to•coc•cus /ˌstrɛptəˈkɑkəs/   n., pl. -coc•ci 

/-ˈkɑksaɪ, -si/ .
1. a round bacteria occurring in pairs or chains:
   Certain streptococci cause such diseases as tonsillitis, pneumonia, and scarlet fever.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

strep•to•coc•cus  (strep′tə kok′əs), n., pl. -coc•ci (-kok′sī, -sē). [Bacteriol.]

1. Microbiology any of several spherical or oval bacteria of the genus Streptococcus, occurring in pairs or chains, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans, causing scarlet fever, tonsillitis, etc.

• Neo-Latin; see strepto-, coccus
• 1875–80;

strep•to•coc•cal  (strep′tə kok′əl), strep•to•coc•cic  (strep′tə kok′sik), adj.