Standard Lemma guide

nitrofurantoin

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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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌnʌɪ.tɹə(ʊ).fjʊˈɹan.təʊ.ɪn/
  • General-American: /ˌnaɪ.tɹoʊ.fjʊˈɹæn.toʊ.ɪn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A synthetic nitrofuran drug, 1-(5-nitro-2-furfurylideneamino)hydantoin, that is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used in the treatment on urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: medicine, pharmacology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

derivative of nitrofuran used as an antibacterial medicine (trade name Macrodantin) effective against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; used to treat infections of the urinary tract

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Macrodantin

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: antibacterial, antibacterial drug, bactericide

History

Etymology

Blend of nitrofuran + hydantoin.