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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
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Why Dishes and Cookware Have Lingering Garlic Smells The lingering odors are caused by microbes trapped in a film of grease and soap residue on the surface of food containers, dishes, and pots and pans.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Purcarea and her colleagues are not the only researchers assessing the risks of long-frozen microbes and the ancient nature of antimicrobial resistance as the world warms.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
This may help support a healthier balance of microbes.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Microbe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microbe. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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microbe
noun
Medical Definition
microbe
noun
