: a small dry indehiscent one-seeded fruit (as of a sunflower) developing from a simple ovary and usually having a thin pericarp attached to the seed at only one point
Examples of achene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the base of each twisty tail is an achene, or tiny fruit.
—
Robert Llewellyn and Teri Dunn Chace, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2015
Think of the seeds (achenes) on the outside of a berry.
—Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 27 June 2019
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.
Robert Llewellyn and Teri Dunn Chace, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2015
Think of the seeds (achenes) on the outside of a berry.
—Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 27 June 2019
Dictionary Entries Near achene
Cite this Entry
“Achene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achene. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
achene
noun
: a small dry one-seeded fruit (as of the sunflower) that ripens without bursting open
achenial
adjective
ə-ˈkē-nē-əl
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share