protist

noun

pro·​tist ˈprō-(ˌ)tist How to pronounce protist (audio)
: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (such as slime molds)
protistan adjective or noun

Examples of protist 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.
All eukaryotic cells — animal, plant, fungus or protist — have a nucleus that encloses and protects DNA. Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024 Mavericks are an ancient and fragmented class of jumping genes prevalent in the genomes of protists, fungi and animals, including humans. Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 This provided the perfect conditions for a thriving microbial community of protists, bacteria, viruses and even some larger creatures such as snails and worms. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 9 Aug. 2023 While bacteria, viruses and many protists frequently exchange DNA, multicellular animals have protective barriers around their reproductive cells that generally prevent the uptake of foreign DNA. Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for protist 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Protista, from Greek, neuter plural of prōtistos very first, primal, from superlative of prōtos first — more at proto-

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protist was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near protist

Cite this Entry

“Protist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protist. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

protist

noun
pro·​tist ˈprōt-əst How to pronounce protist (audio)
: any of a kingdom of organisms that resemble plants or animals or both, are one-celled and sometimes colonial or less often many-celled, and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)
protistan adjective or noun

Medical Definition

protist

noun
: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)
protistan adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on protist

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