: any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations
especially
: any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern
Examples of fern in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The history of our current cryosphere began 180 million years ago, when Antarctica—then covered in thick forests filled with ferns and dinosaurs—broke off from the supercontinent Gondwana and started drifting south.
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Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
The fern’s genome is 61,000 times the size of the smallest eukaryotic genome.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024
Hikes through the verdant bushland allow tourists to become immersed among scenic waterfalls, lush wildflowers and ferns, and rare wildlife—and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the occasional koala.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023
The 20-inch design has a hook on the back for easy hanging and is packed with faux wildflowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and blue as well as whimsical ivy and ferns.
—Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fern 
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
The fern’s genome is 61,000 times the size of the smallest eukaryotic genome.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024
Hikes through the verdant bushland allow tourists to become immersed among scenic waterfalls, lush wildflowers and ferns, and rare wildlife—and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the occasional koala.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023
The 20-inch design has a hook on the back for easy hanging and is packed with faux wildflowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and blue as well as whimsical ivy and ferns.
—Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fern
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fern. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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