germ cell

noun

: a gamete (such as an egg or sperm cell) or one of its antecedent cells

Examples of germ cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Having signed for the film, Roth learned of son Cormac Roth’s diagnosis with stage 3 germ cell cancer in November 2021, just months before filming was due to take place in the Netherlands and Luxembourg in early 2022. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 July 2024 In December of last year, Hadley shared that he was diagnosed with seminoma cancer, a malignant germ cell tumor that is typically found in the testicle. Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 22 June 2024 Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2024 Hadley first revealed in December 2023 that he was diagnosed with seminoma cancer —which is a malignant germ cell tumor that is typically found in the testicle, per the National Library of Medicine. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024 Almost every major successful multicellular life form reproduces with germ cells. Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024 The results didn’t raise as big of a concern for gene therapy because the AAV vector showed a very low probability of integrating in germ cells. Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024 The dissertation examined how germ cells behaved in one animal. Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024 During normal chicken development, the primordial germ cells migrate through the circulatory system and reside in the developing gonad. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2023 But as the quality of the germ cells declines, there is no evolutionary reason to keep extending life span further; from evolution’s perspective, life exists to reproduce itself. Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'germ cell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of germ cell was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near germ cell

Cite this Entry

“Germ cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germ%20cell. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

germ cell

noun
: an egg or sperm cell or one of the cells from which they arise

Medical Definition

germ cell

noun
: an egg or sperm cell or one of their antecedent cells

More from Merriam-Webster on germ cell

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