lichen

noun

li·​chen ˈlī-kən 

British also ˈli-chən

1

: any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga or a cyanobacterium and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (such as on a rock or the bark of trees)

Note: The main body of the lichen, known as the thallus, is formed by fungal filaments which surround the photosynthetic algal or cyanobacterial cells. The lichen is usually described as having a leaflike (foliose), crusty (crustose), or branching shrub-like (fruticose) form. Lichens often play an important part in the weathering of rocks and include some that are sources of natural dyes.

2

: any of several skin diseases characterized by the eruptions of flat papules

lichened

ˈlī-kənd 

British also ˈli-chənd

adjective

lichenous

ˈlī-kə-nəs 

British also ˈli-chə-

adjective

Illustration of lichen

• lichen 1

Examples of lichen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cave’s kaleidoscopic colors come from the contrast of the rocks’ hues and those of the various lichens and algae that cover them. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026

Carpets add warmth, softness and more color, from camouflage-esque pieces in cream, lichen and burgundy to Mondrian-style blocks of ochre, mustard and moss. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

The cave’s kaleidoscopic colors come from the contrast of the rocks’ hues and those of the various lichens and algae that cover them. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026

Their livestock wander about us, enormous antlers swinging, hooves clicking — the sound helps them to find each other in a blizzard — and occasionally nibbling lichen from Aatsinki’s outstretched hand. —Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek leichēn, lichēn, from leichein to lick

First Known Use

circa 1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for lichen

• glycan
• liken
• peptidoglycan
• proteoglycan

Kids Definition

lichen

noun

li·​chen ˈlī-kən 

: any of numerous plantlike living things made up of an alga and a fungus growing together on a solid surface (as a rock or a tree)

Medical Definition

lichen

noun

li·​chen ˈlī-kən 

1

: any of several skin diseases characterized by the eruption of flat papules

especially : lichen planus

2

: any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)