Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Extremophile
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Extremophile: An organism that lives under extreme conditions. An example of an extremophile is Methanococcus jannaschii, a microbe that lives near hydrothermal vents deep beneath the sea. The term extremophile was coined late in the 20th century from extreme + -phile, liking = liking extreme (conditions).