1 mushroom | Definition of mushroom

mushroom

noun
mush·​room | \ ˈməsh-ˌrüm How to pronounce mushroom (audio) , -ˌru̇m; chiefly Northern and Midland US -ˌrün; dialectal ˈmə-shə-ˌrüm, -ˌru̇m, -ˌrün\

Definition of mushroom

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an enlarged complex aboveground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus (such as a basidiomycete) that consists typically of a stem bearing a pileus especially : one that is edible
b : fungus
2 : upstart
3 : something resembling a mushroom

mushroom

verb
mushroomed; mushrooming; mushrooms

Definition of mushroom (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to well up and spread out laterally from a central source
b : to become enlarged or extended : grow
2 : to collect wild mushrooms
3 : to spring up suddenly or multiply rapidly

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Examples of mushroom in a Sentence

Noun

cut up some mushrooms for the salad

Verb

Interest in local history is suddenly mushrooming.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Franks: The Stuffer Omelet: tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, green pepper, onions, American and Swiss cheese served with homemade toast and hash browns. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin 'breakfast clubs' are like supper clubs, but with pancakes and hash browns instead of steak and relish trays," 30 Aug. 2019 My favorite of the white pies is the O.G. Bear ($18.50), which comes topped with both mozzarella and Taleggio cheeses, maitake mushrooms, spinach and garlic. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Flour + Water Pizzeria, the home of the $8 slice and much, much more," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mushroom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of mushroom

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for mushroom

Noun

Middle English musheron, from Anglo-French musherum, musseron, from Late Latin mussirion-, mussirio

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More Definitions for mushroom

mushroom

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mushroom

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a fungus that is shaped like an umbrella especially : one that can be eaten

mushroom

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mushroom (Entry 2 of 2)

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