hypha

noun

hy·​pha ˈhī-fə 

plural hyphae ˈhī-(ˌ)fē 

: one of the threads that make up the mycelium of a fungus, increase by apical growth, and are transversely septate or nonseptate

hyphal

ˈhī-fəl 

adjective

Examples of hypha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Long strands of fungal hyphae can hold the aggregates together and earthworms and other large organisms also work to create pore space. —oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2023

The photos showed how individual fungal hyphae had drilled deep into the rocks, carving out networks of branching canals. —Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek hyphē web; akin to Greek hyphos web — more at weave

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hypha

noun

hy·​pha ˈhī-fə 

plural hyphae -(ˌ)fē 

: one of the threads that make up the mycelium of a fungus

hyphal

-fəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

hypha

noun

hy·​pha ˈhī-fə 

plural hyphae -(ˌ)fē 

: one of the threads that make up the mycelium of a fungus, increase by apical growth, and are coenocytic or transversely septate

hyphal

-fəl 

adjective