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
3
: a microorganism causing disease : a pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus)
broadly
: microorganism
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
Be sure to pack an easy-to-carry water bottle, wipes to keep the germs away, and a portable battery to keep your phone camera going.
—
Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Bathrooms are a high-traffic area in every home—and staying on top of germs and bacteria calls for a regular cleaning routine with frequent disinfecting.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
Disinfecting and sanitizing are essential for maintaining a clean, healthy home and preventing the spread of germs.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
According to Stein, cotton sheets, like a percale, can handle higher temperatures, which helps kill germs and dust mites.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
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Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Bathrooms are a high-traffic area in every home—and staying on top of germs and bacteria calls for a regular cleaning routine with frequent disinfecting.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
Disinfecting and sanitizing are essential for maintaining a clean, healthy home and preventing the spread of germs.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
According to Stein, cotton sheets, like a percale, can handle higher temperatures, which helps kill germs and dust mites.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germ. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
germ
noun1
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
noun1
: 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
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