anaerobiosis

noun

an·​aero·​bi·​o·​sis ˌa-nə-rō-(ˌ)bī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce anaerobiosis (audio)
-bē-;
ˌan-ˌer-ō-
plural anaerobioses ˌa-nə-rō-(ˌ)bī-ˈō-ˌsēz How to pronounce anaerobiosis (audio)
-bē-;
ˌan-ˌer-ō-
: life in the absence of air or free oxygen

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French anaérobiose, from anaérobie "living without oxygen" + -ose -osis — more at anaerobe

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anaerobiosis was in 1878

Rhymes for anaerobiosis

See All Rhymes for anaerobiosis

Browse Nearby Words

anaerobiont
anaerobiosis
anaerobiotic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anaerobiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anaerobiosis. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

anaerobiosis

noun
an·​aero·​bi·​o·​sis ˌan-ə-rō-(ˌ)bī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce anaerobiosis (audio) -bē-; ˌan-ˌa(-ə)r-ō- How to pronounce anaerobiosis (audio)
-ˌe(-ə)r-
plural anaerobioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce anaerobiosis (audio)
: life in the absence of air or free oxygen
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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