megaspore

noun

mega·​spore ˈme-gə-ˌspȯr How to pronounce megaspore (audio)
: a spore in heterosporous plants giving rise to female gametophytes and usually larger than a microspore
megasporic adjective

Examples of megaspore 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.
The soil samples contained fragments of willow and wood, as well as insect parts, spike moss megaspores, fungi and poppy seeds, Halley Mastro, a graduate research assistant at the University of Vermont and co-author of the paper, told ABC News. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2024 Other fossilized finds include a pinecone-like structure with megaspores and some fossilized tree trunks used to estimate the height of the trees, Wang noted. Fox News, 9 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

mega- + -spore

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of megaspore was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near megaspore

Cite this Entry

“Megaspore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/megaspore. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

megaspore

noun
mega·​spore ˈmeg-ə-ˌspō(ə)r How to pronounce megaspore (audio)
-ˌspȯ(ə)r
: a plant spore that produces a female gametophyte

Medical Definition

megaspore

noun
1
: a spore in heterosporous plants that gives rise to female gametophytes and is generally larger than a microspore
2
megasporic adjective

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