- The theory that living organisms can be produced only by the development of living germs. Cf. Biogenesis, Abiogenesis.
- The theory which attributes contagious and infectious diseases, suppurative lesions, etc., to the agency of germs. The science of bacteriology was developed after this theory had been established.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). germ theory. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/germ_theory/definitions/2012015 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "germ theory" http://smartdefine.org/germ_theory/definitions/2012015 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, germ theory, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/germ_theory/definitions/2012015>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "germ theory" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/germ_theory/definitions/2012015> |