microorganism

noun

mi·​cro·​or·​gan·​ism ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce microorganism (audio)
: an organism (such as a bacterium or protozoan) of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size

Examples of microorganism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers are creating cancer drugs derived from the microorganisms found in stool samples. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 10 Dec. 2024 Raw milk is milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process, which is a key food safety step that applies heat in order to kill microorganisms that can cause disease, says Meghan Davis, DVM, MPH, PhD, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024 Adding yogurt is also a great way to load up on probiotics, which help support gut health by keeping the number of microorganisms native to the small and large intestines in check. Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 4 Oct. 2024 The community of beneficial microorganisms that dwell among the roots of plants are the botanical equivalent of a gut microbiome. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for microorganism 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microorganism was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near microorganism

Cite this Entry

“Microorganism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microorganism. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

microorganism

noun
mi·​cro·​or·​gan·​ism ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce microorganism (audio)
: an organism (as a bacterium) of microscopic or less than microscopic size

Medical Definition

microorganism

noun
mi·​cro·​or·​gan·​ism -ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce microorganism (audio)
: an organism of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size

More from Merriam-Webster on microorganism

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