microbe — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any microorganism; (loosely, nonscientifically) especially, a harmful bacterium.

   Related words

   microorganism

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   We humans and other complex animals are full of microbes, gajillions of them. People have so many that microbe cells living in our bodies outnumber our own vastly.

   Yes, there are microbes everywhere and most are just fine for us, perhaps even beneficial to our microbiomes and immune systems. We don’t care about those.

Noun

1. a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use

   Synonyms

   buggerm

   Broader terms

   microorganismmicro-organism