toadstool

noun

toad·​stool ˈtōd-ˌstül How to pronounce toadstool (audio)
: a fungus having an umbrella-shaped pileus : mushroom
especially : a poisonous or inedible one as distinguished from an edible mushroom

Examples of toadstool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hint at a magical world with toadstools, mushrooms, twinkling fairy dust and lights, and figurines of mythical creatures. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2024 One of the elder members appears to be in charge of testing the local berries and mushrooms for possible toxins—an alluring, comically cartoonish red-and-white toadstool ultimately leads to trouble. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024 And the entire kingdoms of plants and fungi are barely featured at all; fungi only have a single representative toadstool. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 2 Jan. 2024 Cardboard boxes strewn about the shop contained even more ornaments: Pickles, mermaids, artichokes, caviar tins, corgis, oysters, vegetables and toadstools were just some of the designs. Christopher Barnard, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023 After mating, fungi often produce aboveground structures such as mushrooms and toadstools, loaded with up to a trillion spores. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 There is a toddler playground with small play structures and swings in addition to a more extensive park for older kids to test their bravery on a mini-zipline, toadstools for hopping and monkey bars. Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 13 Mar. 2023 Place your drinks — coffee, tea, water, wine — on the platform and admire the woodland toadstools featured around the base. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 24 Feb. 2023 Under the shade of large oak trees, kids can enjoy slides, monkey bars, climbing structures and toadstools in the playground. Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 13 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toadstool.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toadstool was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near toadstool

Cite this Entry

“Toadstool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toadstool. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

toadstool

noun
toad·​stool -ˌstül How to pronounce toadstool (audio)
: a fungus that has an umbrella-shaped cap : mushroom
especially : one that is poisonous or unfit for food

Medical Definition

toadstool

noun
toad·​stool -ˌstül How to pronounce toadstool (audio)
: a fungus having an umbrella-shaped pileus : mushroom
especially : a poisonous or inedible one as distinguished from an edible mushroom

More from Merriam-Webster on toadstool

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