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protist
noun
pro·tist
ˈprō-(ˌ)tist
: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (such as slime molds)
Examples of protist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All eukaryotic cells — animal, plant, fungus or protist — have a nucleus that encloses and protects DNA.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
Mavericks are an ancient and fragmented class of jumping genes prevalent in the genomes of protists, fungi and animals, including humans.
—Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023
This provided the perfect conditions for a thriving microbial community of protists, bacteria, viruses and even some larger creatures such as snails and worms.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 9 Aug. 2023
While bacteria, viruses and many protists frequently exchange DNA, multicellular animals have protective barriers around their reproductive cells that generally prevent the uptake of foreign DNA.
—Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Protist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protist. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
protist
noun
pro·tist
ˈprōt-əst
: any of a kingdom of organisms that resemble plants or animals or both, are one-celled and sometimes colonial or less often many-celled, and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)
Medical Definition
protist
noun
pro·tist
ˈprōt-əst, ˈprō-ˌtist
: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)
More from Merriam-Webster on protist
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protist
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