germs

germs · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of germ; microorganisms, especially those that cause disease.

  2. 2.

    The beginnings or early forms of ideas or things.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    spread germs — to transmit disease-causing organisms
  • •
    kill germs — to eliminate harmful microorganisms
  • •
    germ-free — free from microorganisms

Related words

See also: bacteria, germ, infection, virus
Synonyms: bacteria, microbes, microorganisms, pathogens

Etymology

From Latin germen ("sprout, bud, seed") + English plural -s. The sense of "disease-causing microorganism" developed in the 19th century with the germ theory of disease.