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 Ohio State team specifically focused on shiitake and button mushrooms, cultivating the fungi before dehydrating them for long-term viability.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
In the forest, stumps become nurse logs that feed fungi and other key players in the biome.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
How Gut Bacteria Affects Body Weight Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is full of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Healthy soil has microorganisms and fungi that help plants grow and thrive but using herbicides has the opposite effect.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fungus
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Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
In the forest, stumps become nurse logs that feed fungi and other key players in the biome.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
How Gut Bacteria Affects Body Weight Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is full of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Healthy soil has microorganisms and fungi that help plants grow and thrive but using herbicides has the opposite effect.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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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