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antibiotics
- Definition
- Chemical substances produced by microorganisms or synthetically that inhibit the growth of, or destroy, bacteria. Antibiotics are used at therapeutic levels to fight disease in humans and animals. Since the 1950s they have been used at subtherapeutic levels in animal feeds to enhance growth and prevent disease in livestock and poultry.
- Definition Source
- Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, 2005 Edition.
- Used For
- anti-bacterial agents
- anti-mycobacterial agents
- antibacterial agents
- antimycobacterial agents
- antitubercular agents
- antitubercular drugs
- bactericides
- bacteriocidal agents
- bacteriocides
- Spanish
- antibióticos