fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clean outdoor water features with vinegar or other fungus-fighting ingredients to help prevent water from getting scummy. The Spruce, 2 July 2026 The oral cavity also hosts fungi, viruses and archaea, though bacteria account for the vast majority of what has been studied so far. Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The oral cavity also holds fungi, viruses and archaea, though bacteria account for the vast majority of what has been studied. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 Only about a third of clinical cases come from blood; the rest are found in urine, wounds and the respiratory tract, where the fungus is often colonizing rather than invading. John Drake, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fungus

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fungus was in 1527

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

fungus

noun
fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī How to pronounce fungus (audio) ˈfəŋ-ˌgī How to pronounce fungus (audio) 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 How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz How to pronounce fungus (audio)
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

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