Germ

/dʒɜːrm/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A microorganism, especially one that causes disease.

Always wash your hands to remove any harmful germ that could lead to illness.

A developing bud or part of a plant.

The germ of a new idea began to form during the meeting.

The early developmental stage of an organism.

The germ of the seed starts to grow when it gets the right amount of moisture.

From Latin 'germen', meaning 'to sprout' or 'bud'.

germ of an idea

A small but significant idea that can develop into something larger.

germ warfare

The use of pathogens or toxins as weapons of war.

germ-free

Free from germs, often used in medical contexts.

bacteria

Single-celled organisms that can be beneficial or pathogenic.

infection

The invasion of a host organism by a pathogenic agent.

virus

A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.

Refers to dirt or unintended substances that could carry diseases.

This place is a total germ fest!

Someone who is overly concerned with cleanliness.

He's such a germophobe, he won't even shake hands.