bacteriology

/bækˈtɪriˌɑlədʒi/

Bacteriology is the science of certain single-celled microorganisms, both the harmful ones that cause diseases and the helpful ones in yogurt and kimchi.

Bacteriology is formed by adding the suffix -ology, or "science," to bacteria, whose root means "staff," from the shape of the earliest bacteria viewed through a microscope. This branch of biology focuses on every aspect of bacteria, particularly the way medicine can be used to prevent and cure bacterial diseases.

Definitions of bacteriology

1. noun

   the branch of medical science that studies bacteria in relation to disease
   type of:

   medical specialty, medicine

   the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques