microbial

American  

[mahy-kroh-bee-uhl] / maɪˈkroʊ bi əl /

adjective

1. of or relating to microbes.

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Explanation

Something that is microbial is related to or made up of tiny organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria or viruses. A microbial infection is caused by such life forms. Microbial is the adjective form of the noun microbe, an older word for microorganism, "a very, very tiny living thing." A microbial colony is a large number of these tiny life forms living together. Microbial biotechnology uses microbes to create products or carry out processes useful to humans. For example, microbes are used in the production of medicines and fermented foods, such as yogurt. Microbial technology is also used in agriculture, environmental cleanup, and to create some biofuels.

Example Sentences

For the latest research, published in the Microbiome journal on Wednesday, an Italy-based team found evidence that both ancient and modern microbial life remain active in the frozen body.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Lower carbon dioxide emissions from soil in these areas often reflect declining root activity and shrinking microbial populations.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

DNA and RNA analyses allowed scientists to examine both the microbial communities living in the fish and patterns of gene activity in the fish and associated microbes.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

In partnership with the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Heal the Bay researchers will conduct microbial source testing to determine where exactly this pollution originates.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

The DNA of mitochondria is qualitatively different from the DNA of animal cell nuclei and strikingly similar to bacterial DNA; moreover, like microbial DNA, it is closely associated with membranes.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas