What is the shape of round-shaped bacteria called?

Round-shaped bacteria are classified as cocci. This term is derived from the Greek word "kokkos," meaning berry, which reflects the spherical shape of these bacteria. Cocci can exist singly or in various arrangements, such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), or clusters (staphylococci). The significance of identifying cocci lies in their role in various infections and their distinct shapes which can influence how they are treated and the types of diseases they may cause.

Other terms refer to different shapes of bacteria; for instance, bacilli are rod-shaped, spirilla are spiral-shaped, and vibrios are comma-shaped. Each category plays a specific role in microbiology and infectious disease, but in this case, the focus is specifically on the round shape categorizing those bacteria as cocci.