crown gall

noun

: a disease that affects many species of plants and is caused by a bacterium (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) which forms tumorous enlargements usually just below the ground on the stem

Examples of crown gall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Healthy soils with lots of diverse microbial life may also help to suppress crown gall. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023 Understanding how the crown gall bacteria altered plant cells without destroying them was a critical breakthrough, one that opened an entirely new set of possibilities. Andrew Curry, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2013 Plants can also get cancer, like the tree tumor known as a crown gall. New York Times, 25 May 2022 The tumorlike growths at the base of the trunk and on the rootball appear to be crown gall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2022 Common pests & diseases Black spot and powdery mildew are common fungal diseases, while crown gall disease may occur less commonly. Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 7 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crown gall was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near crown gall

Cite this Entry

“Crown gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crown%20gall. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on crown gall

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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