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
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
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; flowering; flowers
1
a
: develop
flowered into young womanhood
b
: flourish sense 2
a movement that flowered in the early 21st century
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
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Fascinators — those bobbing bundles often of feathers, flowers and netting perched off-center of the wearer’s head — are banned here.
—Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Other hurdles to pollination include very wet or humid conditions during flowering.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flower
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Noun
Angelina Guatemala, 64, counted on federal food stamps after retiring a couple of years ago in Ogden, Kansas, from assorted jobs arranging flowers, decorating cakes in shops, and preparing meals.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Fascinators — those bobbing bundles often of feathers, flowers and netting perched off-center of the wearer’s head — are banned here.
—Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Verb
Most iris varieties flower from late spring to early summer, bringing pops of color to garden spaces and flower vases.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Other hurdles to pollination include very wet or humid conditions during flowering.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
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
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
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