symbiont

noun

sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-bē-ˌänt How to pronounce symbiont (audio)
: an organism living in symbiosis
especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

Examples of symbiont in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is the same scenario that produced mitochondria and chloroplasts: Both organelles were formerly free-living bacteria that became symbionts of larger cells and eventually moved in permanently. Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2024 These symbionts help fight off pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Sarah Everts, TIME, 16 July 2024 Tobin examined Mae and Osha’s blood test results and noticed that their symbionts were exactly the same, meaning they were artificially created. Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 9 July 2024 Or consider the nuclear genes of the cells of advanced organisms (eukaryotes): At some early point in their evolution, these cells gained the help of the genes of a parasite or symbiont that became the mitochondrion, an organelle necessary for energy production. Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 See all Example Sentences for symbiont 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symbiont.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Symbiont, probably altered (after Greek ont-, stem of ṓn, present participle of eînai "to be") from symbiount-, stem of symbiôn, present participle of symbioûn "to live together" — more at symbiosis

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of symbiont was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near symbiont

Cite this Entry

“Symbiont.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbiont. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

symbiont

noun
sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-ˌbī-ˌänt How to pronounce symbiont (audio)
-bē-
: an individual living in symbiosis
especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

Medical Definition

symbiont

noun
sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-ˌbī-ˌänt How to pronounce symbiont (audio) -bē- How to pronounce symbiont (audio)
: an organism living in symbiosis
especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

called also symbiote

symbiontic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on symbiont

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