sporulation

noun

spor·​u·​la·​tion ˌspȯr-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce sporulation (audio)
-ə-ˈlā-
: the formation of spores
especially : division into many small spores (as after encystment)
sporulative adjective

Examples of sporulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nonadditivity made cooperative sporulation remarkably resistant to exploitation by cheater strains. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 1 July 2010 The spots stay small and purple but have white sporulation on the underside of the leaf. oregonlive, 12 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sporulation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin sporula, diminutive of spora spore

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sporulation was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near sporulation

Cite this Entry

“Sporulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporulation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sporulation

noun
spor·​u·​la·​tion ˌspōr-(y)ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce sporulation (audio)
ˌspȯr-
: formation of or division into spores

Medical Definition

sporulation

noun
spor·​u·​la·​tion ˌspōr-(y)ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌspȯr- How to pronounce sporulation (audio)
: the formation of spores
especially : division into many small spores (as after encystment)

More from Merriam-Webster on sporulation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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