symbiote

noun

sym·​bi·​ote ˈsim-bē-ˌōt How to pronounce symbiote (audio)
-ˌbī-
plural symbiotes
: an organism living in symbiosis : symbiont
The thing in the crevice was some sort of vegetative symbiote, I conjectured. It fed its companions foods that it manufactured from air, water, subterranean temperature variances (if it had deep roots), and probably other lichens as well as minerals leached from the rock.Matthew Hughes

Examples of symbiote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Plants that can tolerate Mars’ surface regolith and perform photosynthesis at much higher efficiency than here on Earth will then be released, along with bacterial symbiotes (organisms living in symbiosis), across the planet. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 The alien symbiote that transforms its host into a beast with sharp teeth, a lashing tongue, and growling voice was first teased in Marvel's Spider-Man; Norman Osborn conducted experimental treatment to save his son Harry from a rare, debilitating disease. Nick Romano, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 As the symbiote takes hold, Peter becomes increasingly aggressive (both verbally and in combat), a significant departure from the happy-go-lucky character fans are accustomed to. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 21 Oct. 2023 And then, there’s the whole murderous, tentacled, alien symbiote of it all. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Oct. 2023 San Francisco investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy) became the human host of a black symbiote, who gives Eddie awesome powers like instant healing and super-strength but also has a tendency to eat people, and the sequel finds the two still figuring out how to get along. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 10 May 2021 Thanks to No Way Home, Tobey Maguire’s fight with the symbiote is now MCU canon. Chris Smith, BGR, 5 Jan. 2022 But the characters that Sony licenses from Marvel extend beyond Peter Parker and the symbiote. Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Apr. 2022 It’s the spell that brought Venom (Tom Hardy) back to his own timeline while leaving a part of the symbiote in the MCU. Chris Smith, BGR, 27 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symbiote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps borrowed from French, borrowed from Greek symbiōtḗs "companion, partner," from symbiō-, variant stem of symbioûn "to live together" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at symbiosis

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of symbiote was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near symbiote

Cite this Entry

“Symbiote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbiote. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

symbiote

noun
sym·​bi·​ote ˈsim-ˌbī-ˌōt How to pronounce symbiote (audio) -bē- How to pronounce symbiote (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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