awn

noun

ˈȯn How to pronounce awn (audio)
: one of the slender bristles that terminate the glumes of the spikelet in some cereal and other grasses
awned
ˈȯnd How to pronounce awn (audio)
adjective
awnless
ˈȯn-ləs How to pronounce awn (audio)
adjective

Examples of awn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These grasses have seed awns with a sharp, pointed shape, resembling the tail of a fox, hence the name. — Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024 According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), foxtail grass awns can be found throughout North America, particularly from May to December. — Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 21 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English awne, going back to late Old English agene (accusative plural) "awns," Old English ægnan (plural) "chaff, sweepings," going back to Germanic *aganō-, *ahanō (whence also Old High German agana "awn, chaff, straw," Old Norse ǫgn, plural agnar "chaff, husks," Gothic ahana "chaff"), going back to Indo-European *h2eḱ-on- (whence also Old Prussian ackons "awn" and perhaps Latin agna "ear of grain," Greek akont-, ákōn "javelin, dart"), derivative of *h2eḱ- "sharp, pointed" — more at edge entry 1

Note: Middle English awne may reflect a borrowing from Old Norse, with the Old English word continued by dialectal [e:nz] (Lancashire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire; see Clive Upton, et al., Survey of English Dialects: The Dictionary and Grammar, Routledge, 1994).

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of awn was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Awn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awn. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about awn

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