mesophilic

American

[mez-uh-fil-ik, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˌmɛz əˈfɪl ɪk, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə- /

Also mesophilous

adjective

(of bacteria) growing best at moderate temperatures, between 25°C and 40°C.

mesophilic British

/ ˌmɛsəʊˈfɪlɪk, ˈmɛsəʊˌfaɪl /

adjective

biology (esp of bacteria) having an ideal growth temperature of 20–45°C

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

mesophile noun

Etymology

Origin of mesophilic

First recorded in 1895–1900; meso- + -philic

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.

The temperature 42° C. destroys ordinary water bacteria and inhibits the growth of many ordinary mesophilic bacteria.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023