sporangium

noun

spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia spə-ˈran-jē-ə How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
: a structure within which spores are produced
sporangial adjective

Examples of sporangium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Once the spores have matured inside the black sporangium, osmotically active compounds cause an eruption, a shotgun-like blast that sends the spores up to six feet into the air. Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2011

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sporangium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from spor- + Greek angeion vessel — more at angio-

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sporangium was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near sporangium

Cite this Entry

“Sporangium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporangium. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sporangium

noun
spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia
-jē-ə
: a sac or case within which spores are produced and stored

Medical Definition

sporangium

noun
spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia -jē-ə How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
: a structure (as of an alga or fungus) within which spores are produced
sporangial adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sporangium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!