germ

noun

ˈjərm 

plural germs

1

a

: a small mass of living substance capable of developing into an organism or one of its parts

b

: the embryo with the scutellum of a cereal grain that is usually separated from the starchy endosperm during milling

2

: something that initiates development or serves as an origin : rudiments, beginning

3

: a microorganism causing disease : a pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus)

broadly : microorganism

Synonyms

• fountainhead
• origin
• root
• seed
• seedbed

Examples of germ in a Sentence

the germ that causes tuberculosis

the germ of an idea

the germ layers of an embryo

Recent Examples on the Web

This drug-free nasal suction device works quickly to soothe nasal passages by sucking out mucus, allergens and germs. —Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025

This can cause skin cracking, giving germs a place to enter. —Casey Gallagher, Health, 3 Apr. 2025

In the latent stage, TB germs have survived in the lungs but are contained by the body's immune system, so no symptoms are present. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025

Airflow continues to move bacteria around, and germs can linger in toilet water for multiple flushes. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French germe, from Latin germin-, germen, from gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing germ

• germ cell
• germ-free
• germ layer
• germ line
• germ plasm
• germ theory
• germ warfare
• wheat germ

Rhymes for germ

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• herm
• sperm
• squirm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

germ

noun

ˈjərm 

1

a

: a small mass of living substance capable of developing into a whole individual or one of its parts

b

: the embryo in the seed of a cereal (as corn or wheat) together with its cotyledon that is usually separated from the starchy part of the seed during milling

2

: something that serves as an origin

the germ of an idea

3

: a microscopic living thing

especially : one that causes disease

Medical Definition

germ

noun

ˈjərm 

1

: a small mass of living substance capable of developing into an organism or one of its parts

2

: a microorganism causing disease : a pathogenic agent (as a bacterium or virus)

broadly : microorganism