mushroom

noun

mush·room | \ˈməsh-ˌrüm,

-ˌru̇m; chiefly Northern and Midland US -ˌrün; dialectal ˈmə-shə-ˌrüm, -ˌru̇m, -ˌrün\

Definition of mushroom

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an enlarged complex aboveground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus (such as a basidiomycete) that consists typically of a stem bearing a pileus especially : one that is edible

b : fungus

2 : upstart

3 : something resembling a mushroom

mushroom

verb

mushroomed; mushrooming; mushrooms

Definition of mushroom (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to well up and spread out laterally from a central source

b : to become enlarged or extended : grow

2 : to collect wild mushrooms

3 : to spring up suddenly or multiply rapidly

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about mushroom

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Examples of mushroom in a Sentence

Noun

cut up some mushrooms for the salad

Verb

Interest in local history is suddenly mushrooming. Her hobby mushroomed into a thriving business. He goes mushrooming in the spring every year.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Biscuits and gravy are anointed with coconut-mushroom gravy, French toast with coffee anglaise and doughnut glaze, and a fried chicken thigh is mounted on a sourdough waffle. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, "At 3 Squares Diner there’s a dog that won’t bark," 12 July 2018 Back in the day, the Pacific Northwest was all about mushroom picking in the fall and salmon fishing in the spring. — Discover Magazine, "One-on-One with Executive Chef Kevin Erving," 6 July 2018 Then the big trumpet mushrooms with fiddleheads, another spring specialty. — Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, "Best new restaurants and bars to visit in the Mission right now," 17 June 2018 Wild Zora This company started with meat and veggie bars but recently acquired the Paleo Meals to Go brand, which makes things like Mountain Beef Stew with carrots, mushrooms, and celery, and Canyon Chicken Curry with sweet potatoes and cauliflower. — Ac Shilton, Outside Online, "This Is the Golden Age of Backpacking Food," 27 June 2018 Add asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, and white parts of ramps. — Seamus Mullen, Bon Appetit, "Poached Eggs in Chicken Broth with Mixed Vegetables," 25 June 2018 Hayes’ sides include fries, waffle fries, tots, chips, cheese sticks, mushrooms, fried cauliflower and onion rings. — Sarah Gish, kansascity, "Batter up: Here are 18 KC-area places to get perfect, golden-fried onion rings," 21 June 2018 Lush, fruit flavors of cherry and cassis are complemented by earthy flavors of mushroom and forest floor. — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Wines Cancelled," 10 July 2018 Portabella mushrooms, cauliflower steaks and veggie skewers are all good options, as are veggie burgers like this black bean quinoa burger recipe. — Andrea Thelen, Ms, Detroit Free Press, "6 tips for healthy and safe grilling," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Canada, Turkey, Germany, and other nations have taken in more refugees in recent years as the global migrant crisis has mushroomed, while the U.S. has made significant cuts to its programs. — Alan Gomez, USA TODAY, "Trump administration vows to reunite nearly 3,000 separated families per judge's order," 5 July 2018 Yet also visible are signs of transformation, with mushrooming development downtown and many businesses moving in. — Rick Rojas, The Seattle Times, "Newark police ask public to scan city’s surveillance-camera feeds," 9 June 2018 Yet also visible are signs of transformation, with mushrooming development downtown and many businesses moving in. — New York Times, "In Newark, Police Cameras, and the Internet, Watch You," 9 June 2018 And last week, Wells Fargo reached a $480-million settlement with shareholders who said they were shortchanged when the bank's stock plunged after the accounts scandal mushroomed in September 2016. — Jim Puzzanghera, latimes.com, "Wells Fargo will need a formal vote from the Federal Reserve before growth restrictions are lifted," 11 May 2018 With the advance of technology, the field has mushroomed. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Personal genomics company Helix raises $200 million," 9 July 2018 Since then the number of foreign asset managers with trading accounts in Hong Kong has mushroomed. — The Economist, "Why foreigners are keen buyers of Chinese government bonds," 28 June 2018 The avenues for distributing TV shows have mushroomed. — Michael Rapoport, WSJ, "Streaming TV or Movie? Why It Matters to Amazon’s Profits," 8 July 2018 The yellow, green and orange bikes, unlocked using an app on a smartphone, have mushroomed across the city almost overnight. — David Swanson, latimes.com, "A freewheeling guide to two-wheeling in San Diego, a city made for cycling," 24 June 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near mushroom

Phrases Related to mushroom

mushroom cap

Statistics for mushroom

Last Updated

29 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for mushroom

The first known use of mushroom was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for mushroom

mushroom

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mushroom

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a fungus that is shaped like an umbrella; especially : one that can be eaten

mushroom

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mushroom (Entry 2 of 2)

: to increase or develop very quickly

: to collect wild mushrooms

See the full definition for mushroom in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mushroom

noun

mush·room | \ˈməsh-ˌrüm,

-ˌru̇m\

Kids Definition of mushroom

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a part of a fungus that bears spores, grows above ground, and suggests an umbrella in shape

mushroom

verb

mushroomed; mushrooming

Kids Definition of mushroom (Entry 2 of 2)

: to appear or develop suddenly or increase rapidly The town's population has mushroomed.

mushroom

noun

mush·room | \ˈməsh-ˌrüm,

-ˌru̇m

Medical Definition of mushroom

1 : an enlarged complex fleshy fruiting body of a fungus (as most basidiomycetes) that arises from an underground mycelium and consists typically of a stem bearing a spore-bearing structure especially : one that is edible — compare toadstool