What does gonococcus mean?
Gonococcus is the common name for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a Gram-negative bacterium that causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection of the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, or eyes. The organism is characteristically kidney-shaped and typically occurs in pairs, a form known as a diplococcus. In medical writing, gonococcus may appear in references to infection, laboratory culture, microscopy, and treatment, although the scientific name is often preferred. The plural gonococci refers to multiple cells or organisms of this species. Gonococcus should not be confused with gonorrhea itself: the former is the microbe, while the latter is the disease. The word also has a memorable history, combining Greek roots for “seed” and “berry,” reflecting the bacterium’s berry-like form and its historical description as the “seed” of gonorrhea.
nounA bacterium of the species Neisseria gonorrhoeae that causes gonorrhea. It is a Gram-negative, kidney-shaped diplococcus.
- The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea.
"A culture confirmed that the infection was caused by gonococcus."
"A urethral smear identified gonococcus in the sample."
"Researchers studied how gonococcus resists common disinfectants."
The plural gonococci is standard when referring to multiple cells or organisms of the species.
"Gonococci were detected in the patient's urethral sample."
The gonococcus earned its name by looking like a seed of gonorrhea—the disease it causes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gonococcus come from?
Gonococcus was formed from Greek gonos, meaning “seed,” “semen,” or “offspring,” and kokkos, meaning “berry.” In bacteriological terminology, the ending -coccus refers to berry-shaped bacteria. Its cognates include gonad and gonorrhea, both of which preserve the same Greek element associated with seed or reproduction.
Related word forms
How gonococcus is actually used
The term is specialized medical and microbiological vocabulary. In modern clinical writing, the organism is often identified by its scientific name, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Easily confused with gonococcus
Gonococcus is the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, whereas gonorrhea names the sexually transmitted infection itself.
Coccus is a general term for a spherical or berry-shaped bacterium, while gonococcus specifically denotes Neisseria gonorrhoeae.