1. a mass of cells or tissue from which an organ or organism develops; a bud or sprout
Usage: formal or technical; biology
2. the origin or beginning of something; a seed or source
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The germen of the flower develops into the reproductive structure.
• Scientists studied the germen cells under the microscope.
• The germen of the idea came from a simple observation.
• Plant germens can be dormant for extended periods.
• The germen tissue showed signs of rapid growth.