germ theory
noun
: a theory in medicine: infections, contagious diseases, and various other conditions result from the action of microorganisms
Examples of germ theory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus, in an era when the germ theory of disease held about equal sway with theories involving the humors, folks knew tariffs were just regressive taxes.
—
Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Kellogg’s thinking on constipation, that anything less than three bowel movements a day risked dangerous intestinal putrefaction, was shaped by the emerging germ theory of disease and the ascent of bacteriology as a discipline through the closing decades of the 19th century.
—Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Microbes as Medicine Ever since scientists realized that microscopic organisms can cause illness – what’s called the 19th-century germ theory of disease – humanity has been on a quest to keep infectious agents out of our bodies.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
But preventing and treating disease by co-opting the very microbes that threaten us has a history that long predates germ theory.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germ theory 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Kellogg’s thinking on constipation, that anything less than three bowel movements a day risked dangerous intestinal putrefaction, was shaped by the emerging germ theory of disease and the ascent of bacteriology as a discipline through the closing decades of the 19th century.
—Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Microbes as Medicine Ever since scientists realized that microscopic organisms can cause illness – what’s called the 19th-century germ theory of disease – humanity has been on a quest to keep infectious agents out of our bodies.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
But preventing and treating disease by co-opting the very microbes that threaten us has a history that long predates germ theory.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germ theory
Dictionary Entries Near germ theory
Cite this Entry
“Germ theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germ%20theory. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share