🧫

Petri Dish

PEE-tree dish
Objects Unicode 11.0 uncommon

Meanings

1
Science · Laboratory uncommon

A shallow cylindrical dish used in laboratories to culture microorganisms or cells. Used to represent scientific research, biology, or laboratory work.

Primarily used in scientific or educational contexts to indicate laboratory experiments, research, or biological studies.

Just finished my first bacterial culture experiment 🧫 #MicrobiologyClass 📋 Student social media post
Working on some exciting new research in the lab today 🧫🔬 📋 Scientist's professional update

Symbolizes scientific inquiry and discovery, often associated with STEM fields and medical research.

2
Medical · Health rare

Represents medical testing, particularly in contexts related to infectious disease diagnostics, vaccine development, or pharmaceutical research.

Used when discussing medical tests, disease research, or healthcare innovations.

Our lab is working around the clock on COVID-19 testing 🧫 to help fight this pandemic. 📋 Healthcare professional update

Gained increased recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as a symbol of diagnostic testing and vaccine development.

Combos with 🧫

🧫🔬
Scientific research or laboratory work, especially in microbiology.
Common in academic and research contexts to indicate laboratory experiments.
🧫🦠
Bacterial cultures or microbiology studies.
Used in scientific communication about microorganisms or infectious disease research.
🧫💉
Vaccine development or pharmaceutical research.
Gained prominence during COVID-19 pandemic discussions about medical research.

Culture

Represents the intersection of technology and biology in modern scientific research, particularly in contexts like biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Often used to promote STEM education and scientific literacy, especially to encourage young people to pursue careers in science.

Named after German bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri who invented it in 1887, the petri dish has become an iconic symbol of scientific discovery.

United States Often associated with STEM education initiatives and science communication in schools and universities.
Gen_X: Limited usage, primarily in professional scientific contexts or when discussing children's education.
Gen_Z: Used in educational contexts, science memes, and to indicate interest in STEM fields. Popular in school/university social media.
Older: Rarely used except by those with professional scientific backgrounds.
Millennials: Used professionally by those in scientific fields to discuss work or in science communication content.

History

2018

Added to Unicode 11.0 as part of a science-themed emoji expansion.

Growing interest in representing STEM fields in digital communication.

2020

Usage increased during COVID-19 pandemic alongside test tube emoji.

Global focus on laboratory testing and vaccine development.