biofilm

noun

bio·film | \ ˌbi-(ˌ)ō-ˈfilm

How to pronounce biofilm (audio)

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Definition of biofilm

: a thin usually resistant layer of microorganisms (such as bacteria) that form on and coat various surfaces

Examples of biofilm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Yale team pinpointed a specific hyperefficient conductor cytochrome called OmcZ, which Geobacter produces in response to an electrical field, as the biofilm's primary method of shedding electrons. — Sophie Bushwick, Scientific American, "Electricity-Carrying Bacteria Lead to New Applications—and New Questions," 23 Nov. 2020 Fighting these types of infections often requires an antibiotic concentration 100 to 1,000 times higher than needed to eradicate the same biofilm-free bacteria. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "This Medieval Potion Kills Stubborn Bacteria," 3 Aug. 2020 Diatoms may release 70 percent of their photosynthetic production as goopy extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)—the glue of the biofilm neighborhood. — Paige Embry, Scientific American, "Slimy Mudflat Biofilms Feed Migratory Birds—and Could Be Threatened," 17 June 2020 Doniger mentions that her goal is getting her patients to floss and brush for two minutes twice a day to get rid of decay- and dental disease-causing biofilm. — NBC News, "Best electric toothbrushes, according to experts and dentists," 5 June 2020 The biofilm is, in turn, a food bank for an array of animals—from worms and crabs to fish and birds. — Paige Embry, Scientific American, "Slimy Mudflat Biofilms Feed Migratory Birds—and Could Be Threatened," 17 June 2020 Many years of research on biofilm and migratory shorebirds at Roberts Bank and other areas illustrate the covert yet vital role that the slime plays in the ecosystem. — Paige Embry, Scientific American, "Slimy Mudflat Biofilms Feed Migratory Birds—and Could Be Threatened," 17 June 2020 This movement creates micro bubbles that gently remove bacteria biofilm — a cause of bad breath, staining, gum disease and bleeding gums. — NBC News, "Best electric toothbrushes, according to experts and dentists," 5 June 2020 An absence of biofilms means fouling will never get going in the first place. — The Economist, "Antifouling technology A new robot may help keep ships’ bottoms clean," 28 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biofilm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Biofilm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biofilm. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for biofilm

biofilm

noun

bio·film | \ ˈbī-ō-ˌfilm

\

Medical Definition of biofilm

: a thin usually resistant layer of microorganisms (as bacteria) that form on and coat various surfaces (as of catheters or water pipes)

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