microorganism
noun
mi·cro·or·gan·ism
ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
: an organism (such as a bacterium or protozoan) of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size
Examples of microorganism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Photograph: Dennis Kunkel/Science Photo Library/Science Source Fungi are an indispensable part of your microbiome, keeping the body’s host of microorganisms healthy as part of a system of checks and balances.
—
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
One such tactic involves arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a microorganism inhabiting soil that forms mutually symbiotic relationships with select nearby plants — essentially, the friendly neighbor who takes helping out to a whole new level.
—Miriam Fauzia, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
Probiotics are living microorganisms that exist both naturally in the gut and are found in food products, dietary supplements and beauty products.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024
An August 2003 study in particular suggested that such microorganisms may be transferred from people with Alzheimer’s disease to their spouses, potentially explaining why such spouses are at a higher risk of developing dementia.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 1 Feb. 2024
In addition to Belgica antarctica, the terrestrial ecosystem is composed of just a handful of small animals like springtails (a type of tiny arthropod), a smattering of microorganisms and low-lying ground cover such as lichen.
—Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024
Cordero doesn’t know what the analogous traits might be for microorganisms and their communities.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
The air inside circulates through UV light, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms.
—Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Farmers like 62-year-old Orlando Morales living near the mines complain of smaller crop yields.
Flamingos, feeding on microorganisms within the brine, have slowly been killed off by mining, a 2022 study showed.
—Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
One such tactic involves arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a microorganism inhabiting soil that forms mutually symbiotic relationships with select nearby plants — essentially, the friendly neighbor who takes helping out to a whole new level.
—Miriam Fauzia, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
Probiotics are living microorganisms that exist both naturally in the gut and are found in food products, dietary supplements and beauty products.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024
An August 2003 study in particular suggested that such microorganisms may be transferred from people with Alzheimer’s disease to their spouses, potentially explaining why such spouses are at a higher risk of developing dementia.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 1 Feb. 2024
In addition to Belgica antarctica, the terrestrial ecosystem is composed of just a handful of small animals like springtails (a type of tiny arthropod), a smattering of microorganisms and low-lying ground cover such as lichen.
—Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024
Cordero doesn’t know what the analogous traits might be for microorganisms and their communities.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
The air inside circulates through UV light, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms.
—Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Farmers like 62-year-old Orlando Morales living near the mines complain of smaller crop yields.
Flamingos, feeding on microorganisms within the brine, have slowly been killed off by mining, a 2022 study showed.
—Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microorganism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microorganism
Cite this Entry
“Microorganism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microorganism. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
microorganism
noun
mi·cro·or·gan·ism
ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an organism (as a bacterium) of microscopic or less than microscopic size
Medical Definition
microorganism
noun
mi·cro·or·gan·ism
-ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an organism of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size
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