abiogenesis

noun

abio·​gen·​e·​sis ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce abiogenesis (audio)
: the origin of life from nonliving matter
specifically : a theory in the evolution of early life on earth: organic molecules and subsequent simple life forms first originated from inorganic substances
According to the conventional hypothesis, the earliest living cells emerged as a result of chemical evolution on our planet billions of years ago in a process called abiogenesis. David Warmflash et al.

Examples of abiogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As such, humans have long wondered whether our world is the only place where life has emerged — a process known as abiogenesis. Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023 The team assume that where conditions allow, life will emerge from inorganic processes, a phenomenon known as abiogenesis. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020 If the events that led to life are supremely uncommon, those many solar systems might still not be enough, statistically, to have resulted in abiogenesis—in other beings. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023 The analysis leads us to conclude that abiogenesis and evolution, rather than manifesting two discrete stages in the emergence of complex life, actually constitute one single physicochemical process. Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012 There are two main hypotheses for how clumps of chemistry became lumps of biology—a process called abiogenesis. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023 Finally, the Hominid Panspermia Theory still requires abiogenesis at some point and allows for multiple occurrences. Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011 Perhaps the outcome of a different abiogenesis event, or an alien biochemistry. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2010 By contrast, the probability of abiogenesis has little impact on the quantity of intelligent life, which is consistent with the possibility of life being common throughout the universe. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abiogenesis.' 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

a- entry 2 + bio- + genesis

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abiogenesis was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near abiogenesis

Cite this Entry

“Abiogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abiogenesis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

abiogenesis

noun
abio·​gen·​e·​sis ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce abiogenesis (audio)
: the origin of life from nonliving matter
specifically : a theory in the evolution of early life on earth: organic molecules and subsequent simple life forms first originated from inorganic substances

More from Merriam-Webster on abiogenesis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!