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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The broth is piped to the colony’s anaerobic digester, where microorganisms break down biodegradable waste to produce methane gas that will fuel spacecraft and other vehicles. —Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023

Swimming pool water, with adequate chlorine disinfection levels and pH maintenance, is much less likely to contain infectious microorganisms and so represents a much safer environment for recreational swimming. —Primrose Freestone, CNN, 17 Apr. 2023

That's because freezing prevents the growth of the microorganisms that cause foodborne illness. —Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023

And, as with mosquitoes, that tick spit sometimes carries hitchhiking microorganisms that cause debilitating diseases in humans. —John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023

In a study published last week in Nature Ecology & Evolution, researchers found seabirds that had ingested more microplastics had more disease-causing and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in their guts. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Apr. 2023

More beach vacation ideas Elafonisi Beach, Elafonisi, Greece Just off the coast of Crete lies Elafonisi, a small island known for pink sands created by colorful microorganisms and pieces of coral. —Steven Casale, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2023

This makes people drink water containing dangerous microorganisms that negatively affect their pancreas and cause cravings for sugar and carbs. —Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2023

But now microorganisms are being used to boost that process and unlock new revenue streams for farmers. —Jamie Hailstone, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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