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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This same fungus also causes brown patch in cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025 Sticky snow covered the branches, along with occasional yellow dots of llao llao, an edible fungus native to the region. Scott Yorko, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 People with certain bacteria and fungi in their mouths may face a dramatically higher risk of pancreatic cancer — more than three times greater — according to new research from NYU Langone Health and and Perlmutter Cancer Center. Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025 This fungus, usually seen as an ordinary decomposer, shows a remarkable ability to grow into hydrogels, the materials that hold water and mimic the softness of human tissue. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fungus

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fungus was in 1527

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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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