mushroom

[muhsh-room, -room]

noun

1. any of various fleshy fungi including the toadstools, puffballs, coral fungi, morels, etc.

2. any of several edible species, especially of the family Agaricaceae, as Agaricus campestris meadow mushroom, or field mushroom, cultivated for food in the U.S.

3. anything of similar shape or correspondingly rapid growth.

4. a large, mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke or rubble, formed in the atmosphere as a result of an explosion, especially a nuclear explosion.

adjective

1. of, consisting of, or containing mushrooms.

   a mushroom omelet.

2. resembling a mushroom in shape or form.

3. of rapid growth and often brief duration.

   mushroom towns of the gold-rush days.

verb (used without object)

1. to spread, grow, or develop quickly.

2. to gather mushrooms.

3. to have or assume the shape of a mushroom.

mushroom

/ -rʊm, ˈmʌʃruːm /

noun

1. 1. the fleshy spore-producing body of any of various basidiomycetous fungi, typically consisting of a cap (pileus) at the end of a stem arising from an underground mycelium. Some species, such as the field mushroom, are edible Compare pileus toadstool

   2. ( as modifier )

      mushroom soup

2. the fungus producing any of these structures

3. 1. something resembling a mushroom in shape or rapid growth

   2. ( as modifier )

      mushroom expansion

verb

1. to grow rapidly

   demand mushroomed overnight

2. to assume a mushroom-like shape

3. to gather mushrooms

mushroom

1. Any of various fungi that produce a fleshy fruiting body, which usually consists of a stalk topped by an umbrella-shaped cap. Many mushrooms are basidiomycetes. Some species of mushrooms are edible, though many are poisonous. The term mushroom is often applied to the stalk and cap alone.

2. See more at basidiomycete

Other Word Forms

• mushroomlike adjective
• mushroomy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mushroom¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle English muscheron, musseroun, from Middle French mousseron, ultimately from Late Latin mussiriōn-, stem of mussiriō

Word History and Origins

Origin of mushroom¹

C15: from Old French mousseron, from Late Latin mussiriō, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

My steak was cooked perfectly and complemented by the numerous sides, which include hen of the woods mushrooms, Japanese sweet potato and hand-cut black truffle fries.

From Salon

Throughout the room, matching mushroom lamps cast a warm glow over Stringer’s handcrafted wood tables.

From Los Angeles Times

But Israeli control has remained, settlements have mushroomed, and human rights groups say Israeli forces are increasingly supportive of settler attacks.

From BBC

She was also found guilty of trying to kill Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson by serving them a toxic mushroom lunch at her home.

From BBC

"I couldn't look at her because she looked like diamonds," she adds, confessing she may have been on mushrooms at the time.

From BBC

Related Words

• boom 
• burgeon 
• expand 
• explode 
• flourish 
• proliferate 
• shoot up