plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī 
ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
also funguses
ˈfəŋ-gə-səz
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
The Moon — unlike Mars — does not have an atmosphere to supply carbon dioxide for growing algae, so the house-inflating fungi might have to be fed sawdust from Earth.
—
Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Some fungi produce more complex signal patterns than others, and different species may have different levels of signaling complexity.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
This allows some fungi to survive longer and spread more easily, raising the risk of severe infections.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Researchers emphasize that the patterns do not mean fungi are consciously communicating.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fungus
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Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Some fungi produce more complex signal patterns than others, and different species may have different levels of signaling complexity.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
This allows some fungi to survive longer and spread more easily, raising the risk of severe infections.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Researchers emphasize that the patterns do not mean fungi are consciously communicating.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fungus
Cite this Entry
“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fungus
noun
fun·gus
ˈfəŋ-gəs
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
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