: 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
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
Rich in potassium and super anti-inflammatory, coconut water can help rebalance the flora and fauna in your gut, along with boosting hydration—an important marker for a healthy digestive system.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 14 May 2025
Those creatures and plants, the flora and fauna that live there, are part of the fabric of life that is required for human beings to survive on the planet.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 13 May 2025
New Zealand is no stranger to unique flora and fauna, and that includes the land snail Powelliphanta augusta.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fauna
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Rich in potassium and super anti-inflammatory, coconut water can help rebalance the flora and fauna in your gut, along with boosting hydration—an important marker for a healthy digestive system.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 14 May 2025
Those creatures and plants, the flora and fauna that live there, are part of the fabric of life that is required for human beings to survive on the planet.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 13 May 2025
New Zealand is no stranger to unique flora and fauna, and that includes the land snail Powelliphanta augusta.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 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 20 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share