Standard Lemma guide

axenic

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /eɪˈzɛnɪk/
  • /eɪˈzinɪk/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Containing only a single species of microorganism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Qualifier: sample; specimen; etc; sample; specimen; etc

Topics: biology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: monocultural, monocultured
  • This species has resisted all attempts at axenic culture.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: monocultural, monocultured

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Isolated from organisms of any other species.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: biology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: isolated, sequestered

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: isolated, sequestered

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

(used of cultures of microorganisms) completely free from other organisms

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an axenic culture

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

(of experimental animals) raised under sterile conditions

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • axenic conditions
  • germfree animals

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From a- + xenic.