fauna

[faw-nuh]

noun

plural

faunas, faunae 

1. the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole.

2. a treatise on the animals of a given region or period.

3. (initial capital letter),  Bona Dea.

fauna

/ ˈfɔːnə /

noun

1. all the animal life of a given place or time, esp when distinguished from the plant life (flora)

2. a descriptive list of such animals

fauna

plural

faunas 

1. The animals of a particular region or time period.

fauna

1. Animals, especially the animals of a particular place and time.

Other Word Forms

• faunal adjective
• faunally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fauna¹

1765–75; < New Latin, special use of Latin Fauna, a feminine counterpart to Faunus; Flora

Word History and Origins

Origin of fauna¹

C18: from New Latin, from Late Latin Fauna a goddess, sister of _Faunus

Example Sentences

Another issue: The official plan doesn’t include feral cats, an invasive predator, or non-native animals such as deer and pigs that destroy habitats needed for local fauna to thrive.

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He says experts found that such a gas leak had the potential to destroy marine fauna and flora, reefs, algae and resources that allow fish to feed.

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The country's flora and fauna will feature on them all, with animals including the red squirrel, puffin and dormouse depicted.

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"There are species that are rare in the UK and periodically over the years they have turned up in ones and twos... but it's not really indicating any significant shift in our fauna," he said.

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On the short hike to our ceremony spot, she told us about the park’s flora and fauna and how “Thelma and Louise” was filmed at a spot below where we stood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times