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
Use unsalted, fresh rice water sparingly to avoid soil buildup, bacteria, or fungi that can harm your plants.
—
Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
Experts say that among the affected are monolingual speakers of Spanish, Chinese, Mandarin and Mixteco; some foragers have mistaken the death cap mushroom for edible fungi from their native countries.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The study, published today in the Lancet, suggests that people with obesity may be more susceptible to death and hospitalization from a variety of infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
The Fungus Face Off also includes foraging hikes and displays by King of Mushrooms Todd Spanier, who provides truffles and other fungi to many of our local restaurants.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fungus
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Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
Experts say that among the affected are monolingual speakers of Spanish, Chinese, Mandarin and Mixteco; some foragers have mistaken the death cap mushroom for edible fungi from their native countries.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The study, published today in the Lancet, suggests that people with obesity may be more susceptible to death and hospitalization from a variety of infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
The Fungus Face Off also includes foraging hikes and displays by King of Mushrooms Todd Spanier, who provides truffles and other fungi to many of our local restaurants.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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