phage
noun
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phage
1 American
[feyj]
/ feɪdʒ /
noun
-phage
2
American
Also
-phag.
-phage
1
British
combining form
phage
2
British
/ feɪdʒ /
noun
Usage
What does -phage mean? The combining form -phage is used like a suffix meaning “a thing that devours.” It is used in many scientific terms, especially in biology. The form -phage ultimately comes from the Greek phageîn, meaning “to eat, devour.” This Greek root also helps form the word esophagus. Discover the connection at our entry for the word. The word phage, referring to a bacteriophage, is a shortened or independent use of the combining form -phageClosely related to -phage are -phagia, -phagy, and -phagous. Their corresponding form combined to the beginning of words is phago-. Learn more about their specific applications at our Words That Use articles for the forms.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of phage1
By shortening, or independent use of -phage
Origin of -phage2
Noun use of Greek -phagos -phagous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2023, the team reported in Science on φX174, a phage with a long research history at Caltech.
From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026
In the Nature study, the researchers analyzed another phage genome with the help of a collaborator.
From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026
The researchers also discovered that elements of their active genetic system can be transported by bacteriophage, or phage, viruses that naturally infect bacteria.
From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026
With NEB's Golden Gate Assembly platform, scientists can assemble an entire phage genome outside the cell using synthetic DNA, incorporating all planned genetic changes during construction.
From Science Daily • Jan. 21, 2026
Upon his return he gave up his previous research problem and was devoting full time to phage.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
