Illustration of flower
- 1 filament
- 2 anther
- 3 stigma
- 4 style
- 5 petal
- 6 ovary
- 7 sepal
- 8 pedicel
- 9 stamen
- 10 pistil
- 11 perianth
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers in the front yard
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
e
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full flower
2
a
: the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b
: the finest most vigorous period
wasted the flower of their lives
c
: a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3
flowers plural
: a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flowers of sulfur
Synonyms
Examples of flower in a Sentence
Noun
We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.
Verb
This tree flowers in early spring.
The plant will flower every other year.
His genius flowered at the university.
a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s
Recent Examples on the Web
Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Attn: Tributes, PO Box 860647, Minneapolis, MN 55486.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Generally, plants use violet and blue light waves for more vegetative growth, while red lights are used for more reproductive growth plus flowering and fruiting.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flower 
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Noun
Cameron’s hair was brushed up into sleek space buns, with an unexpected accessory adorning them: the OG Apple headphones wrapped around each bun like twine holding together a bunch of flowers.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Attn: Tributes, PO Box 860647, Minneapolis, MN 55486.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
While flowering, the amaryllis will produce two to six leaves, which photosynthesize and store food in the bulb for future growth.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Generally, plants use violet and blue light waves for more vegetative growth, while red lights are used for more reproductive growth plus flowering and fruiting.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flower
Dictionary Entries Near flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a specialized plant part that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses often colorful petals or sepals, and bears reproductive organs involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
2
: the best part or example
in the flower of his youth
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
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