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
Noun
The music video takes place in an urban environment that gradually transforms into a spring setting, with a trail of flowers left by the protagonist. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 The words accompanied a photo of a sonogram in a distressed white frame that was sitting in a basket surrounded by white flowers and greenery. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Her story also included a boomerang of her anniversary flowers and balloon arrangement, as well as a collage of pictures from their wedding. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 There are white tablecloths and fresh flowers on the table, the bar seating is plush and the staff is professional. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 The video ends with Willow laying in green grass, surrounded by colorful flowers. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 The tearoom itself might be decorated with rare works of art, such as paintings or calligraphy mounted on hanging scrolls, elaborate flower vases and incense burners. Paul S. Atkins, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 Two years later, the photographer Cecil Beaton captured a portrait of her with flowers in her hair. Alex Williams, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The occasion included an all-pink outfit, a handwritten letter and a bouquet of flowers, all just for Sienna. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
Peak bloom is declared by the National Park Service when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms flower around the Tidal Basin, which is near the National Mall. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Wildflower meadows and flowering native bushes provide butterflies and moths a seasonal space to lay their eggs and larvae to grow. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 Otherwise consider replacing it with a more reliable bloomer like one of the panicle hydrangeas or another summer flowering shrub. Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 The mix helps encourage succulents to flower and includes bone meal and kelp meal for strong root and plant growth. Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024 All parts of the oleander (Nerium oleander), a beautiful flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean, are poisonous. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2024 Nothing is as uplifting as a flowering garden in the spring. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024 Visit the local garden shop and research annuals, roses and flowering succulents with hints of the color. Cameron Sullivan, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 Hedwig takes great pride in her garden, which includes flowering shrubs and creeping plants positioned to one day cover the camp wall. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 18 Mar. 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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