symbiont

noun

sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-bē-ˌänt 

: an organism living in symbiosis

especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

Examples of symbiont in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the same scenario that produced mitochondria and chloroplasts: Both organelles were formerly free-living bacteria that became symbionts of larger cells and eventually moved in permanently. —Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2024

These symbionts help fight off pathogenic bacteria and fungi. —Sarah Everts, TIME, 16 July 2024

Tobin examined Mae and Osha’s blood test results and noticed that their symbionts were exactly the same, meaning they were artificially created. —Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 9 July 2024

Or consider the nuclear genes of the cells of advanced organisms (eukaryotes): At some early point in their evolution, these cells gained the help of the genes of a parasite or symbiont that became the mitochondrion, an organelle necessary for energy production. —Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Symbiont, probably altered (after Greek ont-, stem of ṓn, present participle of eînai "to be") from symbiount-, stem of symbiôn, present participle of symbioûn "to live together" — more at symbiosis

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

symbiont

noun

sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-ˌbī-ˌänt 

-bē-

: an individual living in symbiosis

especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

Medical Definition

symbiont

noun

sym·​bi·​ont ˈsim-ˌbī-ˌänt  -bē- 

: an organism living in symbiosis

especially : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

called also symbiote

symbiontic

ˌsim-ˌbī-ˈänt-ik, -bē- 

adjective