n 1  :  a mixture of relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids produced esp. by molds of the genus Penicillium (as P. notatum or P. chrysogenum) and having a powerful bacteriostatic effect against various bacteria (as staphylococci, gonococci, pneumococci, hemolytic streptococci, or some meningococci)  2  :  any of numerous often hygroscopic and unstable amido acids (as penicillin G, penicillin O, and penicillin V) that have a structure in which a four-membered lactam ring shares a nitrogen and a carbon atom with a thiazolidine ring to which it is fused and that are components of the penicillin mixture or are produced biosynthetically by the use of different strains of molds or different media or are synthesized chemically  3  :  a salt or ester of a penicillin acid or a mixture of such salts or esters .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  penicillin O 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.