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 ˈfəŋ-gə-səz 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.
Cases of Candida auris, a fungus found in healthcare facilities, are rising rapidly this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 These eggs develop into larvae that feed on soil fungi, giving them their name. — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 Most relevant to this latest paper is recent research on insect-parasitizing fungi that have evolved to exploit both plants and arthropods. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026 However, the fungus can prove deadly in medical facilities like hospitals and nursing homes. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 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

Phrases Containing fungus

Rhymes for fungus

See All Rhymes for fungus

Browse Nearby Words

fungous
fungus
fungused
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on fungus

Nglish: Translation of fungus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fungus

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