: a primitive usually unicellular often environmentally resistant dormant or reproductive body produced by plants, fungi, and some microorganisms and capable of development into a new individual either directly or after fusion with another spore
: spore having (such) a characteristic or origin
aeciospore
Examples of spore in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
Wet leaf surfaces can be easier for many fungal and bacterial spores to infect, and good airflow reduces this vulnerable period.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024
Rice also contains spores of bacteria known as Bacillus cereus, which can survive cooking and multiply when at room temperature for extended periods of time.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
At some point, the insects are exposed to spores of the fungus Massospora cicadina.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
Another environmental factor that can aggravate asthma and other cardiovascular diseases are allergens – think pollen, dust, fungal spores, etc.
Scrub Hub:Can indoor air quality hurt my health more than the outdoor air?
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 13 May 2024
Eggplant is also susceptible to blight, a fungal disease that can rapidly spread through a harvested area via spores blown by the wind.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 2 May 2024
Flooding dumps industrial chemicals into waterways, and often leaves mold spores sprouting in homes.
—Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024
Once the chalky fungal plug is ripped apart, the infected and disemboweled cicada flies around, raining down fluffy, brown spores.
—Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2015
Noun
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people breathe in aspergillus spores every day without getting sick.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
Wet leaf surfaces can be easier for many fungal and bacterial spores to infect, and good airflow reduces this vulnerable period.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024
Rice also contains spores of bacteria known as Bacillus cereus, which can survive cooking and multiply when at room temperature for extended periods of time.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
At some point, the insects are exposed to spores of the fungus Massospora cicadina.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
Another environmental factor that can aggravate asthma and other cardiovascular diseases are allergens – think pollen, dust, fungal spores, etc.
Scrub Hub:Can indoor air quality hurt my health more than the outdoor air?
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 13 May 2024
Eggplant is also susceptible to blight, a fungal disease that can rapidly spread through a harvested area via spores blown by the wind.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 2 May 2024
Flooding dumps industrial chemicals into waterways, and often leaves mold spores sprouting in homes.
—Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024
Once the chalky fungal plug is ripped apart, the infected and disemboweled cicada flies around, raining down fluffy, brown spores.
—Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
Two different strains will not contribute equally to spore and stalks.
—Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2015
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spore
Cite this Entry
“Spore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spore. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spore
1 of 2 noun
ˈspō(ə)r 
ˈspȯ(ə)r
: a reproductive body that is produced by fungi and by some plants and microorganisms (as ferns and bacteria) and that usually consists of a single cell and is able to produce a new individual either by developing by itself or after fusion with another spore
spore
2 of 2 verb
spored; sporing
: to produce or reproduce by spores
Medical Definition
spore
1 of 2 noun
: a primitive usually unicellular often environmentally resistant dormant or reproductive body produced by plants, fungi, and some microorganisms and capable of developing into a new individual either directly or after fusion with another spore
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