fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
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 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 Every millisecond of light represented the work of the plant’s metabolism, which Sarkisyan and a team of other scientists had hooked up to genes from a glowing fungus. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 The fabric is ultra moisture-wicking (humid conditions can lead to fungus and athlete’s foot) and naturally antimicrobial. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2024 White-nose syndrome, caused by a fungus that started spreading across the U.S. in 2006, can be transferred from cave to cave by hitching a ride on people’s shoes and clothes. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Seeds started now will be stunted or killed by fungus long before the air and soil are warm enough to plant them outside. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2024 One particularly bad pathogenic fungus for plants is called rust. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 Jan. 2024 Because of their susceptibility to Verticillium fungus, they should not be planted in soil where solanaceous crops — tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, or peppers — grew within the last four years. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fungus was in 1527

Dictionary Entries Near fungus

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fungus

noun
fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī How to pronounce fungus (audio) ˈfəŋ-ˌgī How to pronounce fungus (audio) also funguses
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 How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz How to pronounce fungus (audio)
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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