germplasm
noun
germ·plasm
ˈjərm-ˌpla-zəm 
variants
or less commonly germ plasm
1
a
: germ cells and their precursors serving as the bearers of heredity
b
: the genetic material of germ cells : genes
There is now a global effort to conserve the genetic material, or germplasm, of important crops.—
Omar Sattaur
Omar SattaurThe extraordinary precision and reliability of the replication of the germ plasm during each nuclear division …—Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr2
: plant or animal material (such as seeds, pollen, rootstock, or sperm) that is collected and stored chiefly for future use in breeding, conservation, or research
The first U.S. facility for long-term preservation of crop germplasm, the National Seed Storage Laboratory at Fort Collins, CO, began storing collections of all major crops in 1958.—Nigel J. H. Smith
Nigel J. H. SmithWell-managed collections of germ plasm will give plant breeders a broader genetic base for producing new crops with greater resistance to pests, diseases and drought.—John P. Reganold et al.
John P. Reganold et al.Examples of germplasm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, as Stone noted: The specter of the industralization of farming, privatization of germplasm, and eventual depeasantization in developing countries has proved a mighty stimulus to a range of green writers and activists.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2014
If species die out before their germplasm can be preserved, their promise will be lost for good.
—Maryn McKenna, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2020
Semen samples were also taken from the bulls and sent to the germplasm bank in Colorado.
—Maureen O'Hagan, Scientific American, 20 June 2019
For decades, Driscoll’s has been working with the germplasm of the White Carolina, the oldest strawberry cultivar.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2014
If species die out before their germplasm can be preserved, their promise will be lost for good.
—Maryn McKenna, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2020
Semen samples were also taken from the bulls and sent to the germplasm bank in Colorado.
—Maureen O'Hagan, Scientific American, 20 June 2019
For decades, Driscoll’s has been working with the germplasm of the White Carolina, the oldest strawberry cultivar.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near germplasm
Cite this Entry
“Germplasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germplasm. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
germplasm
noun
germ·plasm
ˈjərm-ˌpla-zəm
variants
also germ plasm
1
a
: germ cells and their precursors serving as the bearers of heredity
b
: the genetic material of germ cells : genes
2
: plant or animal material (as seeds, pollen, or sperm) that is collected and stored chiefly for future use in breeding, conservation, or research
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share