sporangium

noun

spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm 

plural sporangia spə-ˈran-jē-ə 

: a structure within which spores are produced

sporangial

spə-ˈran-j(ē-)əl 

adjective

Examples of sporangium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once the spores have matured inside the black sporangium, osmotically active compounds cause an eruption, a shotgun-like blast that sends the spores up to six feet into the air. —Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2011

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from spor- + Greek angeion vessel — more at angio-

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sporangium

noun

spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm 

plural sporangia

-jē-ə

: a sac or case within which spores are produced and stored

Medical Definition

sporangium

noun

spo·​ran·​gi·​um spə-ˈran-jē-əm 

plural sporangia -jē-ə 

: a structure (as of an alga or fungus) within which spores are produced

sporangial

-j(ē-)əl 

adjective