Bacillus (noun)

1. A type of bacteria that is shaped like a rod and can be found in soil, water, and other environments.
2. An individual bacterium of the genus Bacillus.

Origin:

From the latin word for rod, referring to the shape of the bacterium.

Examples:

1. The bacteria culture was found to contain bacillus.
2. Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax.
3. Bacillus thuringiensis is used as a biological pest control.
4. Bacillus cereus is a gram-positive, aerobic spore-forming bacterium.
5. Many bacillus species are harmless, but some can cause serious infections.