fungus

noun, often attributive

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fun·gus | \ ˈfəŋ-gəs

plural fungi\ ˈfən-ˌjī

, ˈfəŋ-ˌgī

\ also funguses\ ˈfəŋ-gə-səz

Definition of fungus

: 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 Tilling disperses the fungus and mixes it with beneficial organisms. — Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Seedling citrus trees take time to fruit," 14 Nov. 2020 The trees are also genetically built to resist rot, and are remarkably free from fatal enemies like fungus, defoliators, and bark beetles. — Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘We’re not dead yet’: Big Basin redwoods scorched, but not lost.," 28 Aug. 2020 Athlete’s foot fungus and bacteria from sweaty socks, shirts and towels cause odors and can transfer onto the bag itself. — Lynn Redmile, Good Housekeeping, "How to Wash a Backpack in Just a Few Easy Steps," 19 Jan. 2021 But a South American tree fungus called myrtle rust infects vegetation near its edge. — Matthew Abbott, Environment, "Another Australian wildfire ignites—in one of its most unique ecosystems," 18 Dec. 2020 From her perch at MediPedi NYC on Park Avenue, Correa has seen it all — from the spread of Fashion Week foot fungus to hedge-fund hangnails. — Cat Quinn, refinery29.com, "Confessions Of A Celebrity Medical Pedicurist," 5 Jan. 2021 Keep in mind that a mushroom is merely the fruiting body of a fungus that most of the time lives as fine white filaments of mycelium. — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: An unusual but easy houseplant and what to do about mushrooms in the driveway," 31 Dec. 2020 Often mistaken as a symptom of dry scalp, dandruff — the shedding of skin cells from the scalp at an unusually high rate — is typically coupled with excessive oil production and the presence of a yeast-like fungus. — Julie Ricevuto, Allure, "The Science of Beauty: The Complete Guide to Scalp Care," 17 Dec. 2020 Strips of black fungus trailed out of the meatballs, giving them a cartilaginous crunch. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "S.F.’s dorky new Viet pop-up is home-cooking nostalgia at its caramel-braised best," 10 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fungus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for fungus

fungus

noun

fun·gus | \ ˈfəŋ-gəs

plural fungi\ ˈfən-ˌjī , -ˌgī \ also funguses

Kids Definition of fungus

: any member of the kingdom of living things (as mushrooms, molds, and rusts) that have no chlorophyll, must live in or on plants, animals, or decaying material, and were formerly considered plants

fungus

noun, often attributive

fun·gus | \ ˈfəŋ-gəs

plural fungi\ ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī \ also funguses\ ˈfəŋ-gə-səz

Medical Definition of fungus

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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