: any of a division (Polypodiophyta) or class (Polypodiopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations
especially : any of an order (Polypodiales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

Examples of fern 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.
There are ferns on the counters, on his desk, and on his bookshelves and on the floor. Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024 Her small, walled-in back garden was lush with overgrown ferns and an apple tree. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 Country Life Last Leaves As the flowers and the ferns put themselves to bed, shedding petals, drying and darkening, folding up, one garden plant stays longer than all the rest: kale. Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024 Many miniature or compact species of orchids, bromeliads, ferns, begonias, and aroids are epiphytes and can thrive in terrariums. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fern 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fern was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fern

Cite this Entry

“Fern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fern. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

fern

noun
: any of an order of vascular plants resembling seed plants in having root, stem, and leaflike fronds but reproducing by spores instead of by flowers and seeds
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fern

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