anaerobic
Americanadjective
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(of an organism or tissue) living in the absence of air or free oxygen.
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pertaining to or caused by the absence of oxygen.
adjective
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(of an organism or process) requiring the absence of or not dependent on the presence of oxygen
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of or relating to anaerobes
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Occurring in the absence of oxygen or not requiring oxygen to live. Anaerobic bacteria produce energy from food molecules without the presence of oxygen.
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Compare aerobic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of anaerobic
Compare meaning
How does anaerobic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Anaerobic means "without oxygen." Anaerobic bacteria, unlike humans, don't need oxygen to survive. Aerobic means "needing or using oxygen." Think about aerobic activity, also called "cardio," like running, biking, or yes, taking an aerobics class at your local gym. That heart-pumping exercise makes your lungs take in more oxygen to keep you moving. Anaerobic is the opposite of aerobic. It means "without oxygen." Weight lifting is called an anaerobic exercise, because it doesn't require additional oxygen.
Vocabulary lists containing anaerobic
Cell Biology - Middle School
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Cell Biology - High School
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Elements of the Universe: Aer, Aero ("Air")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We found that the more social you are with another individual, the more you share similar anaerobic gut bacteria," said Dr. Lee.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
"Sharing beneficial anaerobic bacteria could strengthen immunity and improve digestive health across a household," he added.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
Food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion plant, and converted into energy by burning the methane waste that comes from it, with the by-product being used for farm fertiliser.
From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025
In 2021, the EPA updated its definition of food waste to include composting and anaerobic digestion — both of which can take inputs like uneaten food and turn them into fertilizer or biogas, respectively.
From Salon • Jan. 22, 2025
Instead the body must immediately produce anaerobic energy.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
