sporangium

noun

spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia spə-ˈran-jē-ə How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
: a structure within which spores are produced
sporangial adjective

Examples of sporangium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Once the spores have matured inside the black sporangium, osmotically active compounds cause an eruption, a shotgun-like blast that sends the spores up to six feet into the air. Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2011

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from spor- + Greek angeion vessel — more at angio-

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sporangium was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near sporangium

Cite this Entry

“Sporangium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporangium. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sporangium

noun
spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia
-jē-ə
: a sac or case within which spores are produced and stored

Medical Definition

sporangium

noun
spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
plural sporangia -jē-ə How to pronounce sporangium (audio)
: a structure (as of an alga or fungus) within which spores are produced
sporangial adjective

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