spore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Scientific, Technical. Rare in everyday conversation outside specific contexts (gardening, mold, biology classes).
Quick answer
What does “spore” mean?
A small, typically single-celled, reproductive unit capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexual fusion, characteristic of lower plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protozoans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, typically single-celled, reproductive unit capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexual fusion, characteristic of lower plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protozoans.
Can metaphorically refer to the origin or seed of an idea, movement, or development. In computing, refers to a type of malware that self-replicates like a biological spore.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA). Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with science, fungi, mold, and disease. Can have a negative connotation in everyday use (e.g., mold spores causing allergies).
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in UK media regarding damp/mold issues in housing.
Grammar
How to Use “spore” in a Sentence
The fungus [verb: produces/releases/disperses] spores.Spores [verb: are produced/are released/germinate/are carried] by the wind.The [noun: fern/mushroom/mold] [verb: reproduces] via spores.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spore” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The humid weather led to a high spore count, aggravating hay fever sufferers.
- He studied the dispersal mechanisms of bracken spores across the moor.
American English
- The lab confirmed the presence of anthrax spores in the sample.
- Each mushroom cap can release millions of spores into the forest air.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in biotech or agricultural contexts: 'The company developed a spore-based probiotic.'
Academic
Common in biology, mycology, botany, medicine, and paleontology: 'The fossil record shows fern spores from the Carboniferous period.'
Everyday
Mainly in contexts of mold, mushrooms, or allergies: 'The damp wall is probably releasing mold spores into the air.'
Technical
Precise usage in microbiology, mycology, and pathology: 'Anthrax is caused by the inhalation of Bacillus anthracis spores.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spore”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spore”
- Confusing 'spore' with 'spoor' (an animal's track/trail).
- Using 'spore' as a direct synonym for 'seed' in biological writing.
- Mispronouncing as /spʊə/ or /spəʊ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Seeds are the product of sexual reproduction in higher plants and contain a multicellular embryo. Spores are typically single-celled, products of asexual reproduction (or a stage in life cycles of plants like ferns), and do not contain a pre-formed embryo.
Historically and very rarely, yes (meaning to produce spores). In modern usage, it is almost exclusively a noun. The verb forms 'sporulate' or 'produce/release spores' are preferred.
Mold. In everyday contexts, people most frequently encounter 'spore' in relation to mold spores causing allergies, respiratory issues, or property damage from damp.
Most are, but not all. For example, the spores of some fungi and slime molds can be visible to the naked eye. However, the term strongly implies a small size.
A small, typically single-celled, reproductive unit capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexual fusion, characteristic of lower plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protozoans.
Spore is usually academic, scientific, technical. rare in everyday conversation outside specific contexts (gardening, mold, biology classes). in register.
Spore: in British English it is pronounced /spɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Figurative] The spore of dissent/rebellion/an idea.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SPORE' as 'SPORe' - a tiny SPORE can lay dormant on the forest flOOR for years before growing.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIGIN IS A SPORE (e.g., 'the spore of an idea'), DISSEMINATION IS SPORE DISPERSAL (e.g., 'the spores of revolution were carried on the wind'), RESILIENCE/ DORMANCY IS A SPORE STATE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the metaphorical use of 'spore' LEAST appropriate?