Meanings
plural neomycins
- countableuncountablebiochemistryA broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic related to streptomycin that is produced by a streptomyces (Streptomyces fradiae) and used medically especially to treat local infections.
The bowel is prepared preoperatively with neomycin and sulfathalidine. A wide transverse lower abdominal incision is used.
1954 February 15, Oswald S. Lowsley, Thomas H. Johnson, Antonio E. Rueda, “Operation for Urinary Diversion”, in Modern Medicine, volume 22, number 4, Minneapolis, Minn.: Modern Medicine Publications, Inc., page 89Synonyms: framycetin
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic related to streptomycin that is produced by a streptomyces (Streptomyces fradiae) and used medically especially to treat local infections.
More synonyms by meaning
nounan antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used (as a sulphate under the trade name Neobiotic) as an intestinal antiseptic in surgery
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Proto-Indo-European*nu
- Proto-Indo-European*néwos
- Proto-Hellenic*néwos
- Ancient Greekνέος (néos)
- Ancient Greekνεο- (neo-)
- Englishneo-
- Englishneomycin
From neo- + -mycin (“antibiotic derived from Streptomyces”).
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
neomycin. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neomycin
“neomycin.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neomycin. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “neomycin,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neomycin.
Source: neomycin on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.