AMR engagement guide appendix 2: glossary
Published 3 September 2026
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Antibiotic resistant bacteria: bacteria with the ability to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive.
Antimicrobial: a drug that selectively destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. Sometimes referred to as an ‘antimicrobial agent’.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): occurs when the microorganisms that cause disease including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa cease to be affected by the drugs we use to kill them and treat the disease.
Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): a set of actions that promote disease prevention alongside the responsible use of antimicrobials to improve patient outcomes, reduce resistance, and preserve the effectiveness of current treatments.
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organisation (of the United Nations).
Health inequalities: avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health outcomes, access to healthcare and opportunities to achieve good health between different population groups.
Inclusion health groups: population groups who experience social exclusion and poorer health outcomes.
Infection prevention and control (IPC): measures taken to prevent infections from spreading in healthcare settings, farms and the community.
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms: bacteria that are resistant to several antibiotics commonly used to treat them.
One Health: an approach recognising that the health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected, which is an important consideration when addressing AMR.
Superbugs: a non-technical term used to describe bacteria that have become resistant to many or all antibiotics, but is generally avoided in public messaging as it can be misleading and cause confusion, including unintended positive connotations.
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme.
WHO: World Health Organization.
WOAH: World Organisation for Animal Health.