microbial

/maɪˈkroʊbiəl/

Something that is microbial is related to or made up of tiny organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria or viruses. A microbial infection is caused by such life forms.

Microbial is the adjective form of the noun microbe, an older word for microorganism, "a very, very tiny living thing." A microbial colony is a large number of these tiny life forms living together. Microbial biotechnology uses microbes to create products or carry out processes useful to humans. For example, microbes are used in the production of medicines and fermented foods, such as yogurt. Microbial technology is also used in agriculture, environmental cleanup, and to create some biofuels.

Definitions of microbial

1. adjective

   relating to or caused by very small organisms, such as bacteria
   “microbial warfare”

   synonyms: microbic