germ theory

noun

: a theory in medicine: infections, contagious diseases, and various other conditions result from the action of microorganisms

Examples of germ theory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To detain people who looked perfectly healthy, Ragusa’s councillors had to grasp that a disease might incubate unseen—an intuition that arrived roughly five centuries before germ theory could explain it. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026

The germ theory of disease was a huge step forward, helping doctors understand that polluted water sources spread disease, and then helping to develop antibiotics. — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

These conditions had much higher fatality rates in 1776 because Americans had no antibiotics, few vaccines, no understanding of germ theory, no sterile surgical techniques and limited access to hospitals, experts note. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

In it, Kennedy maligns germ theory as a tool of pharmaceutical companies, scientists, and doctors to promote the use of modern medicines. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for germ theory

• kashmiri
• beery
• bleary
• cheery
• cirri
• dearie
• deary
• dreary
• eerie
• kiri
• leary
• leery

Kids Definition

germ theory

noun

: the theory that infectious and contagious disease results from the action of living things

Medical Definition

germ theory

noun

: a theory in medicine: infections, contagious diseases, and various other conditions (as suppurative lesions) result from the action of microorganisms