microbiota

American  

[mahy-kroh-bahy-oh-tuh] / ˌmaɪ kroʊ baɪˈoʊ tə /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the microorganisms, both flora and fauna, that inhabit a particular region, when considered collectively.

2. the microorganisms that live in the human body, symbiotically or pathologically.

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Etymology

Origin of microbiota

First recorded in 1925–30; micro- ( def. ) + biota ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does microbiota compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• microbiota vs. microbiome

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microbiota

As the mice aged, the researchers transplanted the stored samples back into the same animals through a process known as fecal microbiota transplantation, or FMT.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

The findings, published in Cell Host & Microbe, could also help scientists better understand how gut microbiota influences overall health and disease.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2026

Scientists have long known that gut microbiota plays a role in colorectal cancer.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2026

Earlier studies have shown that bacteria living in the gut, known collectively as the gut microbiota, can influence how much serotonin the body produces.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 13, 2026

However, scientists believe that conditions inside the intestine, including the gut microbiota and the chemical messenger serotonin, play an important role.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 13, 2026