basidiomycete

noun

ba·sid·io·my·cete bə-ˌsi-dē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt -ˌmī-ˈsēt

: any of a division (Basidiomycota) of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium and that include rusts, smuts, mushrooms, and puffballs

basidiomycetous

bə-ˌsi-dē-ō-ˌmī-ˈsē-təs

adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from New Latin basidium + Greek mykēt-, mykēs fungus; akin to Greek myxa mucus — more at mucus

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of basidiomycete was in 1884

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Basidiolichenes

basidiomycete

basidiophore

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Style

“Basidiomycete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basidiomycete. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

basidiomycete

noun

ba·sid·io·my·cete bə-ˌsid-ē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt -ˌmī-ˈsēt

: any of a division (Basidiomycota) of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium produced directly from the mycelium or as an outgrowth of a spore, and that include rusts, smuts, and numerous edible forms (such as many mushrooms)

basidiomycetous

-mī-ˈsēt-əs

adjective

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basidiomycete

noun

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