germ-free — completely free from bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; sterile
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: completely free from bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; sterile
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdʒɜːrm friː/
Example Sentences
- The surgeon worked in a germ-free operating room, but still managed to drop his sandwich on the floor.
- Pharmaceutical companies require germ-free facilities to produce safe medications.
- The baby was born in a germ-free delivery room and immediately started complaining about the lack of interesting bacteria to play with.
germ-free
ADJECTIVE[/ˈdʒɜːrm friː/]
completely free from bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; sterile
completely free from bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; sterile
This lab is germ-free, firm-free, and term-free!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Germ-free is a compound term combining 'germ' from German 'Keim' (microorganism, seed) and 'free' from Old English 'frēo' (liberated, without). The term became established as a medical vocabulary during the 19th century with the development of microbiology.
Breakdown
germ (from German Keim, meaning microorganism or bacterium) + free (from Old English frēo, meaning without or liberated from), creating a compound adjective denoting the absence of microorganisms.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The surgeon worked in a germ-free operating room, but still managed to drop his sandwich on the floor.”
“Pharmaceutical companies require germ-free facilities to produce safe medications.”
“The baby was born in a germ-free delivery room and immediately started complaining about the lack of interesting bacteria to play with.”
“Scientists use germ-free animals in research to study the effects of specific microorganisms.”
📚Related Words
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