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
In addition, nail changes like onychomycosis (toenail fungus) are common in PsA. This can result in toenails that are thick, crumbling, break easily, or have a bad odor.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 July 2025
The golden oyster mushroom is not the first invasive fungus.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Throughout their 400 million years of coexistence, fungi have proved to be an important regulator of insect populations.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 July 2025
Never leave the debris on the ground because the fungus spores will spread.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fungus
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 July 2025
The golden oyster mushroom is not the first invasive fungus.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Throughout their 400 million years of coexistence, fungi have proved to be an important regulator of insect populations.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 July 2025
Never leave the debris on the ground because the fungus spores will spread.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fungus
Cite this Entry
“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
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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