methanogen

[ me-than-uh-juh n, -jen ]
/ mɛˈθæn ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

any of a diverse group of widely distributed archaebacteria that occur in anaerobic environments, as the intestinal tracts of animals, freshwater and marine sediments, and sewage, and are capable of producing methane from a limited number of substrates, including carbon dioxide and hydrogen, acetate, and methylamines: an important source of natural gas.

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Origin of methanogen

1975–80; methane- + -o- + -gen

OTHER WORDS FROM methanogen

meth·an·o·gen·ic, adjective

Words nearby methanogen

methanal, methanation, methane, methane series, methanesulfonic acid, methanogen, methanoic acid, methanol, methantheline, methaqualone, methb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Medical definitions for methanogen

methanogen
[ mĕ-thăn′ə-jən, -jĕn′ ]

n.

Any of various anaerobic methane-producing bacteria belonging to the family Methanobacteriaceae.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.