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• phage
  phage

  noun

  bacteriophage.
• -phage
  -phage

  a combining form meaning “a thing that devours,” used in the formation of compound words, especially the names of phagocytes.

phage

¹ American  

[feyj] / feɪdʒ /

noun

1. bacteriophage.

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-phage ² American  

Also -phag.

1. a combining form meaning “a thing that devours,” used in the formation of compound words, especially the names of phagocytes.

   macrophage.

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-phage ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating something that eats or consumes something specified

   bacteriophage

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phage ² British  

/ feɪdʒ /

noun

1. short for bacteriophage

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Usage

What does -phage mean? The combining form -phage is used like a suffix meaning “a thing that devours.” It is used in many scientific terms, especially in biology. The form -phage ultimately comes from the Greek phageîn, meaning “to eat, devour.” This Greek root also helps form the word esophagus. Discover the connection at our entry for the word. The word phage, referring to a bacteriophage, is a shortened or independent use of the combining form -phageClosely related to -phage are -phagia, -phagy, and -phagous. Their corresponding form combined to the beginning of words is phago-. Learn more about their specific applications at our Words That Use articles for the forms.

Other Word Forms

• -phagous
  combining form

Etymology

Origin of phage¹

By shortening, or independent use of -phage

Origin of -phage²

Noun use of Greek -phagos -phagous

Example Sentences

NEB scientists first optimized the method using a well-studied model virus, Escherichia coli phage T7.

From Science Daily • Jan. 21, 2026

The method also works well with phage genomes that contain repeated sequences or extreme GC content, both of which often complicate DNA assembly.

From Science Daily • Jan. 21, 2026

Traditional approaches depend on maintaining physical phage samples and using specialized host bacteria, which can be especially challenging when working with viruses that infect dangerous human pathogens.

From Science Daily • Jan. 21, 2026

"In this case, the phage therapy community told us, 'That's exactly the hammer we've been waiting for.'"

From Science Daily • Jan. 21, 2026

The only new result we were likely to pick up before Christmas was the divalent metal content of the DNA- containing phage T4.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson