ascospore

noun

as·​co·​spore ˈa-skə-ˌspȯr How to pronounce ascospore (audio)
: any of the spores contained in an ascus
ascosporic
ˌa-skə-ˈspȯr-ik How to pronounce ascospore (audio)
adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascospore was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

ascorbic acid
ascospore
ascot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ascospore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascospore. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

ascospore

noun
as·​co·​spore ˈas-kə-ˌspō(ə)r, -ˌspȯ(ə)r How to pronounce ascospore (audio)
: one of the spores contained in an ascus
ascosporic
ˌas-kə-ˈspōr-ik, -ˈspȯr- How to pronounce ascospore (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ascospore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ascospore

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

A Guide to Using Semicolons

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All