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microorganism
noun
mi·cro·or·gan·ism
ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm
: an organism (such as a bacterium or protozoan) of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size
Examples of microorganism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above
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
: 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
: an organism of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size
More from Merriam-Webster on microorganism
Nglish: Translation of microorganism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about microorganism
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