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
3
: a microorganism causing disease : a pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus)
broadly
: microorganism
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
Today, the process of cleaning water begins with the same steps employed by the ancient Egyptians, followed by extensive filtration to get rid of debris as well as most germs and chemicals.
—
Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
The dogs are kept away from allergic patients and washed regularly to prevent germs from spreading, and people must wash their hands before and after petting them.
—John Daley, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Not to mention all the germs that the infant could be exposed to from grandma.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
Simple steps to prevent germs from spreading go a long way.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
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Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
The dogs are kept away from allergic patients and washed regularly to prevent germs from spreading, and people must wash their hands before and after petting them.
—John Daley, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Not to mention all the germs that the infant could be exposed to from grandma.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
Simple steps to prevent germs from spreading go a long way.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germ. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
germ
noun1
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
noun1
: 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
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