biofilm

American  

[bahy-oh-film] / ˈbaɪ oʊˌfɪlm /

noun

plural

biofilms

1. Biology. a film or thin coating on solid surfaces, consisting of microorganisms and the indissoluble, viscous fluid they secrete.

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biofilm Scientific  

/ bī′ō-fĭlm′ /

1. A complex structure adhering to surfaces that are regularly in contact with water, consisting of colonies of bacteria and usually other microorganisms such as yeasts, fungi, and protozoa that secrete a mucilaginous protective coating in which they are encased. Biofilms can form on solid or liquid surfaces as well as on soft tissue in living organisms, and are typically resistant to conventional methods of disinfection. Dental plaque, the slimy coating that fouls pipes and tanks, and algal mats on bodies of water are examples of biofilms. While biofilms are generally pathogenic in the body, causing such diseases as cystic fibrosis and otitis media, they can be used beneficially in treating sewage, industrial waste, and contaminated soil.

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Other Word Forms

• antibiofilm adjective
• biofilm-like adjective
• biofilmed adjective

Example Sentences

Galactose-containing carbohydrates became less abundant near the base of the biofilm and more concentrated toward the top, suggesting a reorganization that may limit acid buildup near tooth surfaces.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2026

These bacteria are more resistant to drugs when they live in a biofilm -- microorganisms that stick together and are embedded in a protective slime.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2024

Her research is examining ways to remove the protective coat and expose the bacteria so it can be killed by the body's immune system or antibiotics that currently cannot pass through the biofilm.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2024

Current solutions for dealing with biofilm rely on chemical agents like biocidal coatings to kill the organisms or nonstick coatings to prevent biofilms from attaching in the first place.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2024

Many people with CF have a biofilm bacterium in their lungs and are asymptomatic.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2024