n. a chemical or biological material that inhibits bacterial growth. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to bacteriostasis or a bacteriostat. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. causing bacteriostasis; -- said of chemical substances, such as certain antibacterial agents. [ PJC ]

☞ Substances, such as antibiotics, which inhibit bacterial growth are usually classified as bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal depending on the rate at which bacteria exposed to the agents{ 4 } die. The rates of death of bacteria exposed to antibacterial agents{ 4 } are, however, dependent on the concentration of the agent{ 4 }, and form a continuum with some antibacterial agents{ 4 } of intermediate type. The penicillins are considered as typical bactericidal agents, and chloramphenicol or the sulfa drugs as typical bacteriostatic agents. In general, inhibitors of cell-wall synthesis will be bactericidal and many inhibitors of protein synthesis are classed as bacteriostatic, but some of the aminoglycosides also kill bacteria rapidly. [ PJC ]