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A hint of the Greek word bios, meaning "life", can be seen in microbe. Microbes, or microorganisms, include bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, amoebas, and slime molds. Many people think of microbes as simply the causes of disease, but every human is actually the host to billions of microbes, and most of them are essential to our life. Much research is now going into possible microbial sources of future energy; algae looks particularly promising, as do certain newly discovered or created microbes that can produce cellulose, to be turned into ethanol and other biofuels.
Examples of microbe in a Sentence
Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 28 Feb. 2026
Of the more than 1,200 taxonomic groups of microbes identified by all the tests combined, just three microbial genera were present in all seven companies’ results.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
These are the tiny particles astronomers are looking for because microbes were responsible for starting life on Earth.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Study limitations The study examined just one bacterial strain from one cave sample, and there is no evidence that the ancient microbe is currently infecting people or spreading, the researchers noted.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Microbe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microbe. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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microbe
noun
Medical Definition
microbe
noun
