noun
Uncommon
spore
spaw
Spore (noun) means a tiny reproductive cell released by fungi, algae, or certain plants, capable of growing into a new organism. Example: “Mushroom spores drift on the wind and settle wherever conditions are right.”
noun
1
A tiny reproductive cell released by fungi, algae, or certain plants, capable of growing into a new organism.
"Mushroom spores drift on the wind and settle wherever conditions are right."
"The mold released millions of spores into the damp room."
2
A tough, dormant cell produced by some bacteria that helps them survive harsh conditions.
"Certain bacteria form spores that can survive extreme heat."
How to use spore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny cell, released by fungi or some bacteria, that can grow into a new organism or help it survive.
Common pairings
release spores
fungal spores
spore-forming bacteria
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Word forms
- Plural
- spores
- Third person singular
- spores
- Past tense
- spored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Mushroom _____ drift on the wind and settle wherever conditions are right.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek spora, "seed," related to speirō, "to sow."
Rhymes for spore
See all rhymes for spore →Frequently asked questions
What does “spore” mean?
The word “spore” means a tiny reproductive cell released by fungi, algae, or certain plants, capable of growing into a new organism. In plain terms, a tiny cell, released by fungi or some bacteria, that can grow into a new organism or help it survive.
How do you pronounce “spore”?
“Spore” is pronounced spaw (/spoɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spore” in a sentence?
Here is “spore” used in a sentence: “Mushroom spores drift on the wind and settle wherever conditions are right.”
What part of speech is “spore”?
“Spore” is a noun.
Where does the word “spore” come from?
The word “spore” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek spora, "seed," related to speirō, "to sow.".
Is “spore” a common word?
“Spore” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spore” have?
“Spore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tiny reproductive cell released by fungi, algae, or certain plants, capable of growing into a new organism.
