Meanings
plural biofilms
- countableuncountablebiologyA structured community of microorganisms, such as bacteria, that adhere to a surface and are embedded in a self-produced protective matrix of mucuslike extracellular material.
These interactions are essential for the assembly of an exopolysaccharides-rich matrix and the development of cospecies biofilms.
2016 March 3, “Streptococcus mutans Can Modulate Biofilm Formation and Attenuate the Virulence of Candida albicans”, in PLOS ONE, →DOI1 more example
The differences in biofilm penetration patterns of both tested photosensitisers and the light source could have played an important role for the survival of microorganisms after the application of aPDT. In a recent own study, we showed that the deepest layers of the oral biofilm were not affected by the aPDT [4 ].
2015 November 7, “Antimicrobial Photoinactivation Using Visible Light Plus Water-Filtered Infrared-A (VIS + wIRA) Alters In Situ Oral Biofilms”, in PLOS ONE, →DOI
Origin
From bio- + film. First used in the early 1970s in the context of wastewater treatment.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish biofilmi, biokalvo
- biofilmiaggregation of microorganisms
- biokalvoaggregation of microorganisms
French biopellicule
- biopelliculeaggregation of microorganisms
German Biofilm
- Biofilmaggregation of microorganisms
Hungarian biofilm
- biofilmaggregation of microorganisms
Polish biofilm
- biofilmaggregation of microorganisms
Portuguese biofilme
- biofilmeaggregation of microorganisms
Slovak biofilm
- biofilmaggregation of microorganisms
Spanish biopelícula
- biopelículaaggregation of microorganisms
Cite this entry
biofilm. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biofilm
“biofilm.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biofilm. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “biofilm,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biofilm.
Source: biofilm on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.