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
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
Ethiopian red hot pokers are perennial flowers of the Kniphofia genus native to African nation that typically bloom between May and October.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Pruning camellias at the wrong time of year can also reduce flowering.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flower 
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show current usage.
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Noun
The early returns saw the project draw rave reviews, as LeBron James, Jamie Foxx, Travis Kelce, Tony Yayo, Russ and more celebrities gave Snoop Dogg his flowers in his IG comment section.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
Ethiopian red hot pokers are perennial flowers of the Kniphofia genus native to African nation that typically bloom between May and October.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Except for when the plant is flowering, only water when the top inch or two of potting soil is dry.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Pruning camellias at the wrong time of year can also reduce flowering.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
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 29 Nov. 2024.
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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