fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  ˈfəŋ-ˌgī  also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz 

often attributive

: any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

Examples of fungus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fledgling plants were still showing signs of stress but less so for the chickpeas inoculated with the helpful fungus. —Miriam Fauzia, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024

The three cases — in late 2022 and early 2023 — were caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

Yet, a third of its body has been replaced by fungus. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024

Stem and cane cankers can be caused by several fungi. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

In warm, wet weather, peonies can be infected by a fungus called botrytis that causes dark spots on leaves and stems and shrivels up buds. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024

At least 10% of cicadas in the Midwest were infected with the fungus, Cooley told the Independent. —USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

These viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi have evolved to resist our available varieties of antimicrobial drugs. —Howard Dean, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024

This method is used for some of the greats like Sauternes and Tokaji and is caused by a fungus called botrytis cinerea that grows once a grape is fully ripe (this is where the term ‘botrytized wine’ comes from). —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fungus

• cup fungus
• fungus gnat
• bracket fungus
• sac fungus
• lower fungus
• shelf fungus
• imperfect fungus
• club fungus
• pore fungus
• chytrid fungus

Kids Definition

fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  ˈfəŋ-ˌgī  also funguses

1

: any of a kingdom of living things (as molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, and mushrooms) that lack chlorophyll, are parasitic or live on dead or decaying organic matter, and were formerly considered plants

2

: infection with a fungus

fungus adjective

Medical Definition

fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi

ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī

also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz 

often attributive

1

: any of the kingdom Fungi of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

2

: infection with a fungus