: of, relating to, living in, or being a controlled environment containing one or a few kinds of organisms
also : axenic

Word History

Etymology

Greek gnōtos known (from gignōskein to know) + biotē life, way of life — more at know, biota

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnotobiotic was in 1949

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gnotobiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnotobiotic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

: of, relating to, living in, or being a controlled environment containing one or a few kinds of organisms
also : free from other living organisms : axenic
gnotobiotic mice
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