(kinds of) very small living things, many of which cause disease or help dead animals and plants to decay
microorganisms
Cases of word usage
1) (of) a substance (e.g. penicillin) produced by very small fungi, able to destroy bacteria (antibiotic)
2) a substance in the blood which destroys harmful bacteria etc (antibody)
3) to make (something) free from infection caused by bacteria (disinfect)
4) (of disease) that can be spread by means of bacteria carried in the air or in water (infectious)
5) (of milk, cream) with bacteria that produce disease killed by heating (pasteurized)
6) an antibiotic drug that kills bacteria (penicillin)