germ
a microorganism, especially when disease-producing; microbe.
a bud, offshoot, or seed.
the rudiment of a living organism; an embryo in its early stages.
the initial stage in development or evolution, as a germ cell or ancestral form.
something that serves as a source or initial stage for subsequent development: the germ of an idea.
Pathology. of, relating to, or caused by disease-producing germs.
Origin of germ
1Other words for germ
Other words from germ
- germless, adjective
- germlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use germ in a sentence
The large abbatial church of St. Germer, if not beautiful, is of archological interest.
How France Built Her Cathedrals | Elizabeth Boyle O'ReillyAn instance of a different character, but equally illustrative, is furnished by the case of Graud de Puy-Germer.
A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume I | Henry Charles LeaGermer and Gerber of the Right seem to have lost their heads.
The Red Conspiracy | Joseph J. Mereto
British Dictionary definitions for germ
/ (dʒɜːm) /
a microorganism, esp one that produces disease in animals or plants
(often plural) the rudimentary or initial form of something: the germs of revolution
a simple structure, such as a fertilized egg, that is capable of developing into a complete organism
Origin of germ
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for germ
[ jûrm ]
A microscopic organism or agent, especially one that is pathogenic, such as a bacterium or virus.
usage For germ
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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