endosperm

noun

en·​do·​sperm ˈen-dō-ˌspərm 

plural endosperms

: a nutritive tissue in the seed of a flowering plant that is formed within the embryo sac following double fertilization

Examples of endosperm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Refined grains have their bran and germ, which contain the majority of nutrients, stripped away during processing, leaving behind only the endosperm. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 Aug. 2025

White bread, by contrast, has very little nutritional value because it has been stripped of its bran and germ, leaving behind mostly starchy endosperm. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2025

White rice is a refined grain that has had the bran and germ removed, leaving the starchy endosperm. —Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025

White rice is made by stripping brown rice of its bran and germ, leaving behind the starchy endosperm. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French endosperme, from end- + Greek sperma seed — more at sperm

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing endosperm

• endosperm nucleus

Rhymes for endosperm

• disaffirm
• ectoderm
• endoderm
• interfirm
• isotherm
• mesoderm
• periderm
• reaffirm
• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm

Kids Definition

endosperm

noun

en·​do·​sperm ˈen-də-ˌspərm 

: a food-containing tissue formed within the seed in seed plants