1 saprophyte | Definition of saprophyte
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

saprophyte

noun
sap·​ro·​phyte | \ ˈsa-prÉ™-ËŒfÄ«t How to pronounce saprophyte (audio) \

Definition of saprophyte

: a saprophytic organism

Examples of saprophyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Superficially, cancer root appears like Indian pipe, a woodland dwelling saprophyte, a plant that feeds on decomposing plant matter. — New York Times, "The Flower That Must Not Be Named," 13 June 2018

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

First Known Use of saprophyte

1870, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for saprophyte

International Scientific Vocabulary

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for saprophyte

saprophyte

noun
sap·​ro·​phyte | \ ˈsap-rÉ™-ËŒfÄ«t How to pronounce saprophyte (audio) \

Medical Definition of saprophyte

: a saprophytic organism especially : a plant living on dead or decaying organic matter

More from Merriam-Webster on saprophyte

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saprophyte

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!