germ

noun

ˈjərm 

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

2

: something that initiates development or serves as an origin : rudiments, beginning

3

: a microorganism causing disease : a pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus)

broadly : microorganism

Synonyms of germ

• origin
• root
• seed
• beginning

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

So a steel roller mill is able to take off of the bran and the germ and produce a flour that is pure endosperm. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Dec. 2025

Mittens and gloves should always be washed after someone has been sick to prevent the transmission of germs or viruses. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025

The unregistered products were sold in Arizona, California and Nevada and made unverified germ-killing claims. —Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025

During this process, the bran and germ are stripped away, leaving only the starchy endosperm behind. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French germe, from Latin germin-, germen, from gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing germ

• germ cell
• germ-free
• germ layer
• germ line
• germ plasm
• germ theory
• germ warfare
• wheat germ

Rhymes for germ

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• herm
• sperm
• squirm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

germ

noun

ˈjərm 

1

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

noun

ˈjərm 

1

: 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