plasm

1 of 3

noun

: plasma compare germplasm

plasm-

2 of 3

combining form

variants or plasmo-
: plasma
plasmodium
plasmolysis

-plasm

3 of 3

noun combining form

: formative or formed material (as of a cell or tissue)
endoplasm

Examples of plasm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Linus Pauling: Fallout, radioactive fallout, causes damage to the pool of human germ plasm, in that will result–that does result–in the birth of an additional number of defective children. Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 18 June 2025 After challenges with other approaches to propagation, in 2009 Dr. Ragone, the Breadfruit Institute, and partners in Canada launched an initiative to grow trees from germ plasm, or plant genetic material. Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 July 2023 Don't forget the ecto-plasm leaking out of the top of the bag! Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 23 Aug. 2022 The theory of germ-plasm, as described by Stoddard, was put forth by August Weismann, in 1892. Megan K. Stack, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin plasma something molded

Combining form

French, from New Latin plasma

Noun combining form

German -plasma, from New Latin plasma

First Known Use

Noun

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plasm was in 1747

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plasm. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

plasm

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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