protist

noun

pro·​tist ˈprō-(ˌ)tist 

: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (such as slime molds)

protistan

prō-ˈti-stən 

adjective or noun

Examples of protist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mavericks are an ancient and fragmented class of jumping genes prevalent in the genomes of protists, fungi and animals, including humans. —Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023

This provided the perfect conditions for a thriving microbial community of protists, bacteria, viruses and even some larger creatures such as snails and worms. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 9 Aug. 2023

While bacteria, viruses and many protists frequently exchange DNA, multicellular animals have protective barriers around their reproductive cells that generally prevent the uptake of foreign DNA. —Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023

Stealthy, Abundant Invaders The team systematically scanned more than 3,300 genomes from across the full breadth of eukaryotic diversity — everything from sheep to sequoias to ciliate protists. —Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Protista, from Greek, neuter plural of prōtistos very first, primal, from superlative of prōtos first — more at proto-

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

protist

noun

pro·​tist ˈprōt-əst 

: any of a kingdom of organisms that resemble plants or animals or both, are one-celled and sometimes colonial or less often many-celled, and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)

protistan

prō-ˈtis-tən 

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

protist

noun

pro·​tist ˈprōt-əst, ˈprō-ˌtist 

: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)

protistan

prō-ˈtis-tən 

adjective or noun