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
According to Eichholz, cold water will still kill germs and leave your towels and robes fresher than ever.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Soap dishes need to stay clean and germ-free so that hands, mouths, and faces can do the same.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2025
The boot comes with matching straw covers that stop germs and dust from getting inside, too.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
By contrast, the grains in most commercial wheat breads have been refined into flour—stripped of their bran and germ to create a softer bread.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Soap dishes need to stay clean and germ-free so that hands, mouths, and faces can do the same.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2025
The boot comes with matching straw covers that stop germs and dust from getting inside, too.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
By contrast, the grains in most commercial wheat breads have been refined into flour—stripped of their bran and germ to create a softer bread.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 28 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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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