Definition of sorus
: a cluster of plant reproductive bodies: such as
a : a cluster of sporangia on the underside of a fertile fern frond
b : a mass of spores bursting through the epidermis of the host plant of a parasitic fungus
c : a cluster of gemmae on the thallus of a lichen
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quizWord Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share sorus
Time Traveler for sorus
The first known use of sorus was in 1832
See more words from the same year