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
Obviously the recent uptick in measles cases is concerning, as are germs in general, since my child is too young to receive vaccines yet.
—
Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Since the infections are caused by different types of germs, you could be infected by both.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 27 Feb. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staph is a germ about 30% of the population carries in their nose.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
For kids who suffer from asthma or allergies like dust and pollen, wool and jute are especially sought after for keeping bacteria and germs at bay thanks to their thickly woven surfaces that trap air inside of the rug and prevent germs from multiplying.
—Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
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Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Since the infections are caused by different types of germs, you could be infected by both.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 27 Feb. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staph is a germ about 30% of the population carries in their nose.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
For kids who suffer from asthma or allergies like dust and pollen, wool and jute are especially sought after for keeping bacteria and germs at bay thanks to their thickly woven surfaces that trap air inside of the rug and prevent germs from multiplying.
—Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 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 4 Apr. 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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