English Reference

Word

petri

/ˈpɛtɹi/

Definition

n. a small dish used in science to grow bacteria or other tiny living things. It is usually made of glass and has a flat bottom.

n. a shallow glass dish used in microbiology to culture microorganisms. Named after the German scientist Julius Petri.

Examples

“The scientist placed the bacteria in a petri dish.”

“After collecting the soil sample, the researcher carefully transferred the microbes into a sterile petri dish to observe their growth.”

“The laboratory technician monitored the colonies developing in the petri dish under a microscope to determine the effectiveness of the new antibiotic treatment.”

Examples

simple

“The scientist placed the bacteria in a petri dish.”

contextual

“After collecting the soil sample, the researcher carefully transferred the microbes into a sterile petri dish to observe their growth.”

complex

“The laboratory technician monitored the colonies developing in the petri dish under a microscope to determine the effectiveness of the new antibiotic treatment.”

Real-World Examples

“We are moving toward assembling human tissues in a Petri dish in much the same way as LEGO building blocks," says Evans.”
Phys.org · 21 Aug 2026
“The phage were placed on petri dishes growing a layer of bacteria on them and the scientists waited for signs their new viruses were enjoying the feast.”
BBC News · 6 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference