: a broad-spectrum antibiotic from a Japanese soil streptomyces (Streptomyces kanamyceticus)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebHer treatment now involved 13 different medications, including injections of kanamycin, which can cause permanent hearing loss and kidney impairment. Sofia Moutinho, Scientific American, 14 May 2022 High frequency of resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, streptomycin, kanamycin, andciprofloxacin in our study likely reflects use of tetracyclines, macrolides, aminoglycosides andfluoroquinolones as feed additives for swine in the USA… Maryn Mckenna, WIRED, 28 Jan. 2011
Word History
Etymology
New Latin kanamyceticus, specific epithet of Streptomyces kanamyceticus
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
kanamycin
noun
kana·my·cin ˌkan-ə-ˈmīs-ᵊn
: a broad-spectrum antibiotic from a Japanese soil bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. kanamyceticus)