germ theory

noun

1. Pathology. the theory that infectious diseases are due to the agency of germs or microorganisms.
2. Biology. biogenesis.

noun

1. the theory that all infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms
2. the theory that living organisms develop from other living organisms by the growth and differentiation of germ cells

n.

1. The doctrine holding that infectious diseases are caused by the activity of microorganisms within the body.