micrococcus
noun
mi·cro·coc·cus
ˌmī-krō-ˈkä-kəs 
plural micrococci
ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-(ˌ)sī
-(ˌ)sē;
-ˈkä-(ˌ)kī,
-(ˌ)kē
: a small spherical bacterium
especially
: any of a genus (Micrococcus) of gram-positive chiefly harmless bacteria that typically occur in irregular clusters
Cite this Entry
“Micrococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micrococcus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
micrococcus
noun
mi·cro·coc·cus
ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs
: a small bacterium that is shaped like a ball
Medical Definition
micrococcus
noun
mi·cro·coc·cus
ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs
1
capitalized
: a large genus (the type genus of the family Micrococcaceae) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur in tetrads or irregular clusters and include nonpathogenic forms (as M. luteus) that are typically harmless saprophytes on human skin but may cause opportunistic skin infections in immunocompromised individuals
2
plural micrococci
-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī
: a small spherical bacterium
: a small spherical bacterium
especially
: any bacterium of the genus Micrococcus
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