fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  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

Insect and fungus damage can occur across southwest Pennsylvania, western Maryland and Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, extending to Mississippi and Alabama from heavy rain. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

Erin Patterson, 50, received a life sentence with a non-parole period of 33 years on Monday for murdering three relatives of her estranged husband using the deadly fungi in beef Wellington pastries served at her home. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa, can cause. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025

Since these plants often have viruses, fungi and bacteria, send them off in the greenwaste rather than composting them at home. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fungus

• bracket fungus
• chytrid fungus
• club fungus
• cup fungus
• fungus gnat
• imperfect fungus
• lower fungus
• pore fungus
• sac fungus
• shelf fungus

Rhymes for fungus

• fungous
• tungus

Kids Definition

fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  ˈfəŋ-ˌgī  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 

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