aerobe

[ air-ohb ]

noun

1. an organism, especially a bacterium, that requires air or free oxygen for life ( anaerobe ).

aerobe

/ ɛəˈrəʊbɪəm; ˈɛərəʊb /

noun

1. an organism that requires oxygen for respiration Compare anaerobe

aerobe

/ âr′ōb′ /

1. An organism, such as a bacterium, that can or must live in the presence of oxygen.
2. Compare anaerobe

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerobe¹

First recorded in 1875–80; aer- + (micr)obe

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerobe¹

C19: from aero- + Greek bios life. Compare microbe

Example Sentences

What didn’t make sense, however, was that many of the bacteria were aerobes — microbes that require oxygen to digest methane and other compounds.

From Scientific American

Her recent exhibit in London filled the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall with floating mechanical aerobes and a “scentscape” representing the history of London’s Bankside area from the 14th to 20th centuries.

From New York Times

That ancestor in turn gave rise to aerobes that were able to take advantage of the increased energy output that oxygen use enabled.

From Science Magazine

While some species grow strictly under one condition or the other, and hence are obligate aerobes or anaerobes, others possess the ability of growing under either condition and are known as facultative or optional forms.

From Project Gutenberg

Pour a layer, 1 or 2 cm. deep, of broth cultivation of a vigourous aerobe—e. g.,

From Project Gutenberg