plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī 
ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses
ˈfəŋ-gə-səz
ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses
ˈfəŋ-gə-səz
often attributive
: any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts
Examples of fungus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But even if fungi aren’t the highest priority pathogen right now, the WHO and CDC warn there’s a real risk that fungi will take us by surprise, and there’s new urgency to develop tests, treatments and vaccines to combat an increasingly urgent threat.
—
Sony Salzman, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024
The fungus used during the cheesemaking process, which gives Camembert both its distinct smell and rich flavor, is in short supply, causing connoisseurs to worry that Camembert’s days are numbered.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
How white-nose syndrome affects Indiana’s bats The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, can grow on a bat’s skin where it’s exposed on the nose, wings and ears.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
In Tanzania, Mushi and her collaborators are unlocking the mysteries of a mold (fungus) that infects patients who have already contracted the bacterial disease tuberculosis.
—Andrew Wight, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
On top of that, fungi can develop resistance to a drug very quickly.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2024
Inspired by the video games of the same name, the series followed a post-apocalyptic world after the cordyceps fungus spread and caused a zombie infestation globally.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024
Overhead watering can cause diseases like cercospora leaf spot, a fungus, to form on the leaves.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Since then, the Spengler family has relocated, taking over the iconic New York firehouse headquarters where Grandpa collected spores, molds and fungus.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Sony Salzman, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024
The fungus used during the cheesemaking process, which gives Camembert both its distinct smell and rich flavor, is in short supply, causing connoisseurs to worry that Camembert’s days are numbered.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
How white-nose syndrome affects Indiana’s bats The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, can grow on a bat’s skin where it’s exposed on the nose, wings and ears.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
In Tanzania, Mushi and her collaborators are unlocking the mysteries of a mold (fungus) that infects patients who have already contracted the bacterial disease tuberculosis.
—Andrew Wight, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
On top of that, fungi can develop resistance to a drug very quickly.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2024
Inspired by the video games of the same name, the series followed a post-apocalyptic world after the cordyceps fungus spread and caused a zombie infestation globally.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024
Overhead watering can cause diseases like cercospora leaf spot, a fungus, to form on the leaves.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Since then, the Spengler family has relocated, taking over the iconic New York firehouse headquarters where Grandpa collected spores, molds and fungus.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fungus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fungus
Cite this Entry
“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fungus
noun
fun·gus
ˈfəŋ-gəs
1
: any of a kingdom of living things (as molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, and mushrooms) that lack chlorophyll, are parasitic or live on dead or decaying organic matter, and were formerly considered plants
2
: infection with a fungus
fungus
adjective
Medical Definition
fungus
noun
fun·gus
ˈfəŋ-gəs
plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses
ˈfəŋ-gə-səz
often attributive
1
: any of the kingdom Fungi of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts
2
: infection with a fungus
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