microorganisms
/maɪkrəʊɔːɡənɪzəmz/ · mi.cro.or.gan.isms
noun
- An organism that is too small to be seen by the unaided eye, especially a single-celled organism, such as a bacterium. The cud is then reswallowed and further digested by specialized microorganisms that live in the rumen.
- A group of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoa, that live together in a specific environment. The microorganisms in the soil helped to break down the organic matter.
Did you know? The discovery of microorganisms by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century revolutionized the field of microbiology and led to major advances in our understanding of the natural world.