methanogenesis
noun
me·than·o·gen·e·sis
mə-ˌtha-nə-ˈje-nə-səs 
plural methanogeneses
mə-ˌtha-nə-ˈje-nə-ˌsēz
: the production of methane especially by the action of methanogens
Methanogenesis occurs in vast natural and human-made environments, but only when the conditions are anaerobic.—
James G. Ferry
James G. Ferry… the rate of microbial methanogenesis generally increases with temperature.—W. F. Weeks et al.
W. F. Weeks et al.Examples of methanogenesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Methane-Reducing Jabs Another way to shift the rumen’s microbial community away from methanogenesis could be to vaccinate livestock against methanogenic microbes.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2024
Methane-reducing jabs Another way to shift the rumen’s microbial community away from methanogenesis could be to vaccinate livestock against methanogenic microbes.
—Bob Holmes, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024
And biological methanogenesis appears to be compatible with the data.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021
This implies that the pathways of methanogenesis forming part of the microbial digestion of fiber in the foregut are similar between the groups, and that the lower methane emission of camelids can be explained by their generally lower relative food intake.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2016
On Earth, microorganisms that live within deep-sea vents use up hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane in a method called methanogenesis, reports Popular Science.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021
Eight proteins are directly implicated in methanogenesis, the biological production of methane from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2024
Methane-reducing jabs Another way to shift the rumen’s microbial community away from methanogenesis could be to vaccinate livestock against methanogenic microbes.
—Bob Holmes, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024
And biological methanogenesis appears to be compatible with the data.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021
This implies that the pathways of methanogenesis forming part of the microbial digestion of fiber in the foregut are similar between the groups, and that the lower methane emission of camelids can be explained by their generally lower relative food intake.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2016
On Earth, microorganisms that live within deep-sea vents use up hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane in a method called methanogenesis, reports Popular Science.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021
Eight proteins are directly implicated in methanogenesis, the biological production of methane from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
Cite this Entry
“Methanogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methanogenesis. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
methanogenesis
noun
me·than·o·gen·e·sis
mə-ˌthan-ə-ˈjen-ə-səs
plural methanogeneses
-ˌsēz
: the production of methane especially through the action of methanogens
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share