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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
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 July 2025
What’s going to nurture the diverse population of microbes living inside of you, to nurture you to feel better, is a diversity of fiber sources.
—Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
Without regular cleaning, humidifiers become hotspots for mold, mildew, and other microbes that can become airborne.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2025
While all three thermophilic microbes were found in each spring, the team discovered that Octopus Spring, the one with the higher oxygen content, had a greater variety of microbes.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 4 July 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 5 Aug. 2025.
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microbe
noun
Medical Definition
microbe
noun
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