Beta-lactam

Origin

beta + lactam

Alternative forms

• β-lactam

Full definition of beta-lactam

Noun

1. (organic chemistry) A lactam having a four-membered ring structure; a structural element of many antibiotics such as penicillin.

Synonyms

• penam

Hypernyms

• lactam

Derived terms

• beta-lactamase

Related terms

• alpha-lactam