mycobacteria n 1: rod-shaped bacteria some saprophytic or causing diseases [syn: {mycobacteria}, {mycobacterium}]
mycobacteria \mycobacteria\ n. pl. A group of rod-shaped bacteria, some saprophytic or causing diseases. Syn: mycobacterium. [WordNet 1.5]
mycobacterium \mycobacterium\ n.; pl. {mycobacteria}. Any of various rod-shaped bacteria, some saprophytic or causing diseases. [WordNet 1.5]