: animal life
especially
: the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment
the diverse fauna of the island
compare flora
faunally
adverb
Did you know?
Faunus and Fauna were the Roman woodland god and goddess for whom animals were a particular concern. Faunus was the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Pan, and like Pan, he had goats' legs. Their goat-legged helpers, called fauns, were known for their love of pleasure and mischief. The fauna of a continent are often very similar across a broad east-west band; from north to south, however, they may vary greatly.
Examples of fauna in a Sentence
studying the diverse fauna of the island
studying the faunas of different islands
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s no wrong way to behold the beauty of Joshua Tree, whether you’re drawn to rock formations, particular plants, seasonal fauna, or outdoor activities.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Regardless, you will be treated to lush flora and fauna and, given the rainfall, probably some mushrooms.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Learn about the native flora and fauna at the Seaside Nature Center, or borrow a free bike and cycle the Bike Loop trail that circumnavigates the park.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
When Noma does a pop-up, the kitchen team immerses itself in the local flora, fauna, and culinary cultures to create a tasting menu that speaks not just to the restaurant’s style but is also an expression of the place the restaurant is taking up residency in.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fauna
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Regardless, you will be treated to lush flora and fauna and, given the rainfall, probably some mushrooms.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Learn about the native flora and fauna at the Seaside Nature Center, or borrow a free bike and cycle the Bike Loop trail that circumnavigates the park.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
When Noma does a pop-up, the kitchen team immerses itself in the local flora, fauna, and culinary cultures to create a tasting menu that speaks not just to the restaurant’s style but is also an expression of the place the restaurant is taking up residency in.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fauna
Cite this Entry
“Fauna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fauna. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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Medical Definition
fauna
noun
fau·na
ˈfȯn-ə, ˈfän- 
: animal life
especially
: the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment compare flora sense 1
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