: animal life
especially
: the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment
the diverse fauna of the island
compare flora
faunally
adverb
Did you know?
Faunus and Fauna were the Roman woodland god and goddess for whom animals were a particular concern. Faunus was the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Pan, and like Pan, he had goats' legs. Their goat-legged helpers, called fauns, were known for their love of pleasure and mischief. The fauna of a continent are often very similar across a broad east-west band; from north to south, however, they may vary greatly.
Examples of fauna in a Sentence
studying the diverse fauna of the island
studying the faunas of different islands
Recent Examples on the Web
The resort employs several full-time biologists that protect the land and its creatures and educate all ages about the flora and fauna of the place.
—
Kim Westerman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Local organizations, including the California Native Plant Society and San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, will teach volunteers about local flora and fauna.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Velour banners with artwork of fish, fowl and fauna hang from the tall ceilings of a lower seating area connected to the cafeteria.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Since its establishment in 1939, Gulf State Park has become a haven for Yellowhammer State flora and fauna, providing visitors with an opportunity to spot rare animals that are difficult to find outside of the preserve.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fauna
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Kim Westerman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Local organizations, including the California Native Plant Society and San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, will teach volunteers about local flora and fauna.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Velour banners with artwork of fish, fowl and fauna hang from the tall ceilings of a lower seating area connected to the cafeteria.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Since its establishment in 1939, Gulf State Park has become a haven for Yellowhammer State flora and fauna, providing visitors with an opportunity to spot rare animals that are difficult to find outside of the preserve.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fauna
Cite this Entry
“Fauna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fauna. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
fauna
noun
fau·na
ˈfȯn-ə, ˈfän- 
: animal life
especially
: the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment compare flora sense 1
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