as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops
this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of germ
Suitcases come in contact with many dirty surfaces and are handled by multiple people during travel, making handles, in particular, a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and viruses.
—
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2025
Check out this one that kills germs and is great for use in hospitals, and this one formulated with living cyanobacteria to produce oxygen and capture carbon dioxide.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Always assume items have unseen germs or pests and clean them accordingly before bringing them into your home.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Scrub your way across the surface to dislodge any final particles and help remove germs and bacteria, then rinse the grill grates well with fresh water.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2025
Check out this one that kills germs and is great for use in hospitals, and this one formulated with living cyanobacteria to produce oxygen and capture carbon dioxide.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Always assume items have unseen germs or pests and clean them accordingly before bringing them into your home.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Scrub your way across the surface to dislodge any final particles and help remove germs and bacteria, then rinse the grill grates well with fresh water.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
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Sheik plans to explore the goo’s origin, noting that there are many scenarios to consider, including whether the substance grew in the rudder shaft in the first place or somehow hitched a ride on the boat.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
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Those flights have been delayed at their origins anywhere from 2 hours, 30 minutes to 3 hours, 38 minutes on average.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The instrument’s roots go at least as far back as the fifteenth century, but it was nearly lost to history, salvaged solely by a grassroots revival in the nineteen-eighties.—
Elena Saavedra Buckley,
New Yorker,
1 Aug. 2025
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The business traces its roots to 1949 when Joseph Gibeley, a Depression-era hat salesman, opened a kiosk and then a store in Salem, Mass.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Because carrot seeds are tiny, which makes proper spacing challenging, seed companies also sell pelleted carrots.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 July 2025
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Hamas has failed at governance but succeeded at redirecting blame, cultivating despair and extremism, and planting the seeds of future wars.—
Margaux Chetrit,
Sun Sentinel,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The Ticket Act, which is currently being considered in the United States Senate, requires ticket sellers to clearly and prominently disclose at the beginning of the transaction.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The Gate 5 project has been under construction since the beginning of the year.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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