mycelium

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noun my·ce·li·um \ mī-ˈsē-lē-əm \

Definition of mycelium

plural mycelia play \-lē-ə\

:the mass of interwoven filamentous hyphae that forms especially the vegetative portion of the thallus of a fungus and is often submerged in another body (as of soil or organic matter or the tissues of a host); also :a similar mass of filaments formed by some bacteria (such as streptomyces)

—

mycelial

play \-əl\ adjective

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Recent Examples of mycelium from the Web

Our planet has grown a new sensory organ, a diffuse and orbital mycelium of detectors, radio transmissions and microprocessors.

— david grinspoon, The Atlantic, "Hurricane Harvey Lays Bare Our New Bargain With Nature," 30 Aug. 2017
The fungal strands, the mycelium, effectively increase the root mass of its host plant by as much as a thousand times and transport a bevy of goodies to the host plants, including phosphorus, copper, calcium and zinc.

— adrian higgins, idahostatesman, "The zoo beneath our feet: We’re only beginning to understand soil’s hidden world," 23 Aug. 2017
The lamps are actually made from a mixture of corn stalk and hemp that is infused with live mycelium cells, the root structure of mushrooms.

— nina friend, Bon Appetit, "These Gorgeous Lamps Are Made Out of Edible Mushrooms," 6 July 2017
Once infection has begun, the mycelium continues to spread, regardless of atmospheric conditions.

— ottillia "toots" bier, Orange County Register, "Master Gardener: Got mildew on your roses? Here’s how to fix it," 11 May 2017
Bayer began working with mycelium as part of a school project in college to find a replacement for the toxic adhesive used in building manufacturing.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Is Fungus the Material of the Future?," 5 Apr. 2017
Ecovative Design uses mycelium as a bonding agent to hold together wood particles for paneling, as well as for a durable, flame-retardant, and lightweight packaging.

— National Geographic, "Surprising New Uses for Mushrooms, From Houses to Packaging," 13 July 2016
Mycelium is the threadlike, vegetative part of a mushroom, and the process of engineering involves using it as an adhesive.

— National Geographic, "Surprising New Uses for Mushrooms, From Houses to Packaging," 13 July 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of mycelium

New Latin, from myc- + Greek hēlos nail, wart, callus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1836

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Medical Dictionary

mycelium

play

noun my·ce·li·um \ mī-ˈsē-lē-əm \

medical Definition of mycelium

plural -lia play \-lē-ə\

:the mass of interwoven filamentous hyphae that forms especially the vegetative body of a fungus and is often submerged in another body (as of soil or organic matter or the tissues of a host); also :a similar mass of filaments formed by some bacteria (as of the genus Streptomyces)

Illustration of mycelium

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mycelium

Definition of mycelium

mycelial

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Origin and Etymology of mycelium

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mycelium

medical Definition of mycelium

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mycelium

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