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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
Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025
This was achieved by cultivating the cellulose-spinning bacteria (Komagataeibacter xylinus) alongside specialized color-producing microbes.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025
Even inland areas can contribute to the problem, especially when the poop is on asphalt or concrete, where there are no microbes to absorb the waste.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, the rapid digestion of food means fewer nutrients reach your lower intestine, where the vast majority of our gut microbes live.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microbe
Cite this Entry
“Microbe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microbe. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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microbe
noun
Medical Definition
microbe
noun
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