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

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."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

spored past tense, spores plural, spores singular

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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."

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for spore

ore bore tore yore lore more core fore sore gore pore amore

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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.