noun
- A bacterium of a group that forms branching filaments resembling fungi and includes some species that cause disease in humans and animals.
Usage: microbiology; medical
Examples
- Actinomycetes are commonly found in soil and decomposing organic matter.
- Some actinomycete species produce antibiotics used in medicine.
- The infection was caused by an actinomycete bacterium.
- Actinomycetes play an important role in breaking down dead plant material in ecosystems.
- Streptomyces is a genus of actinomycete known for antibiotic production.