Standard Lemma guide

gentamicin

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /d͡ʒɛn.təˈmaɪ.sɪn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic mixture, derived from an actinomycete (Micromonospora echinospora), extensively used as the sulfate in treating severe systemic bacterial infections (as of the urinary tract); (3R,4R,5R)-2-{[(1S,2S,3R,4S,6R)-4,6-diamino-3-{[(2R,3R,6S)-3-amino-6-[(1R)-1-(methylamino)ethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy}-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]oxy}-5-methyl-4-(methylamino)oxane-3,5-diol.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, medicine, microbiology, natural-sciences, pharmacology, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an antibiotic (trade name Garamycin) that is derived from an actinomycete; used in treating infections of the urinary tract

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Garamycin

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: antibiotic, antibiotic drug

History

Etymology

Alteration of gentamycin, as a blend of gentian violet + kanamycin, from the color of the actinomycete.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 慶大黴素 /庆大霉素 (qìngdàméisù) — Translations
  • Italian: gentamicina — Translations
  • Portuguese: gentamicina — Translations
  • Spanish: gentamicina — Translations