basidiomycete

noun

ba·​sid·​io·​my·​cete bə-ˌsi-dē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt How to pronounce basidiomycete (audio) -ˌmī-ˈsēt How to pronounce basidiomycete (audio)
: any of a group of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium, that include rusts, smuts, mushrooms, and puffballs, and that are variously considered to comprise a class (Basidiomycetes), a subdivision (Basidiomycotina), or a division (Basidiomycota)
basidiomycetous adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from New Latin basidium + Greek mykēt-, mykēs fungus; akin to Greek myxa mucus — more at mucus

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basidiomycete was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near basidiomycete

Cite this Entry

“Basidiomycete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basidiomycete. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

basidiomycete

noun
ba·​sid·​io·​my·​cete bə-ˌsid-ē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt How to pronounce basidiomycete (audio) -ˌmī-ˈsēt How to pronounce basidiomycete (audio)
: any of a group of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium produced directly from the mycelium or as an outgrowth of a spore, that include rusts, smuts, and numerous edible forms (as many mushrooms), and that are variously considered to comprise a class (Basidiomycetes), a subdivision (Basidiomycotina), or a division (Basidiomycota)
basidiomycetous adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!