monocot

noun

mono·​cot ˈmä-nə-ˌkät How to pronounce monocot (audio)
plural monocots
: a chiefly herbaceous angiospermous plant (such as a grass, lily, or palm) having an embryo with a single cotyledon, usually parallel-veined leaves, and floral organs arranged in multiples of three : monocotyledon
Monocots account for a quarter of all flowering plants.Caroline Brogan
Scientists have long had trouble placing monocots, whose seeds contain just one embryonic leaf, on the plant family tree.Elizabeth Pennisi
often used before another noun
monocot plants
… major monocot crops such as barley, sorghum, maize, rice, wheat, and soybean.Persistence Market Research
compare dicot

Examples of monocot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Members of the genus are mycoheterotrophic monocot plants that depend on fungi for nutrition and the trees that sustain those fungi. Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023 The monocots require little attention, and deer rarely even attempt to consume the rough leaves. cleveland, 4 June 2020 Some people have observed injury to monocots like iris and daylilies, while others have not. Melinda Myers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monocot was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near monocot

Cite this Entry

“Monocot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monocot

noun
mono·​cot ˈmän-ə-ˌkät How to pronounce monocot (audio)
monocot adjective
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