safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsa-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely cultivated Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) with large usually orange or red flower heads and seeds rich in oil

also : a red dyestuff prepared from the flower heads

Examples of safflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now our new secretary of health and human services is telling us to jettison all those formerly healthy seed oils (canola, corn, sunflower, safflower, etc.) and substitute beef tallow. —Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Some research suggests that replacing coconut oil with unsaturated fats—such as safflower or canola oil—may be better for those with heart disease. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025

Safflower oil: Safflower oil is derived from the seeds of the safflower plant. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 Jan. 2025

But the ones at the center of this controversy are the eight that are most commonly used in cooking and industrial food production: canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran oils. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French saffleur, from Old Italian saffiore, from Arabic ʽaṣfar, ʽuṣfur

First Known Use

circa 1660, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing safflower

• safflower oil

Rhymes for safflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely grown Old World herb related to the daisies that has large orange or red flower heads that are the source of a dye and seeds rich in edible oil

Medical Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

1

: a widely grown Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) that has large orange or red flower heads from which a red dyestuff is prepared and seeds rich in oil

2

: a drug consisting of the dried florets of the safflower that has been used in medicine in place of saffron

called also carthamus