germ theory

noun

1. Pathology. the theory that infectious diseases are due to the agency of germs or microorganisms.
2. Biology. biogenesis.

germ theory

noun

1. the theory that all infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms
2. the theory that living organisms develop from other living organisms by the growth and differentiation of germ cells

Word History and Origins

Origin of germ theory¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a specific period of time and then allowing it to rapidly chill is named for the French chemist and germ theory pioneer Louis Pasteur.

From Los Angeles Times

She wants everyone to think she's unhappy that Arizona women's medical care will be determined by a law written while many doctors were still rejecting germ theory.

From Salon

In the nineteenth century, Louis Pasteur’s germ theory also further shored up medical support for shaving: Facial hair, doctors warned, was a microbe haven.

From National Geographic

Dominique Janee: This was before doctors knew much about germ theory of disease.

From Scientific American

In other words, it's a bunch of outdated and unscientific ideas from before the germ theory of disease.

From Salon