flower

1 of 2

noun

flow·​er ˈflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce flower (audio)
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
flowered adjective
flowerful adjective
flowerless adjective
flowerlike adjective

Illustration of flower

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

flower

2 of 2

verb

flowered; flowering; flowers

intransitive verb

1
a
: develop
flowered into young womanhood
2
: to produce flowers : blossom

transitive verb

1
: to cause to bear flowers
2
: to decorate with flowers or floral designs
flowerer noun

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
When the Oregon couple tied the knot in Portland in August, Aria carried a flower basket down the aisle with Amanda's sister, which delighted guests. Erin Clements, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 The extravagant tasting menu experience—which, in 2019, earned the restaurant the title of the best in the world—alternates between four menus based on the cycles of the moon: leaves, roots, fruits and flowers. Anna Haines, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
When the plant is flowering, water as soon as the soil surface is dry to the touch to ensure the blossoms get enough hydration. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2024 Under head coach Kieran McKenna who brought him to Suffolk in 2022, Davis has flowered. Asif Burhan, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flower 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flour, flur "blossom of a plant, prime of life, best of a class, ground grain free of bran," borrowed from Anglo-French flour, flur (also continental Old French), going back to Latin flōr-, flōs "flower, bloom, flourishing condition, choicest part, best of a class," going back to Indo-European *bhleh3-os, s-stem derivative from the verbal base *bhleh3- "bloom, break into flower" — more at blow entry 3

Verb

Middle English flouren "(of a plant) to blossom, to bloom, be vigourous," derivative of flour, flur flour entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flower was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near flower

Cite this Entry

“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

flower

1 of 2 noun
flow·​er ˈflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce flower (audio)
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
flowerless adjective
flowerlike adjective

flower

2 of 2 verb
1
: to produce flowers : bloom
2
Etymology

Noun

Middle English flour "flower, best part," from early French flor, flour (same meaning), from Latin flor-, flos "flower, blossom" — related to florid, flour, flourish

More from Merriam-Webster on flower

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