inflorescence

noun

in·​flo·​res·​cence ˌin-flə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: the mode of development and arrangement of flowers on an axis

b

: a floral axis with its appendages

also : a flower cluster

2

: the budding and unfolding of blossoms : flowering

Illustration of inflorescence

• 1 raceme
• 2 corymb
• 3 umbel
• 4 compound umbel
• 5 capitulum
• 6 spike
• 7 compound spike
• 8 panicle
• 9 cyme

Examples of inflorescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like modern growers, Sumerian orchardists, archaeologist Marcin Paszke contends, gathered pollen from the emerging inflorescences of male date palms in the spring and then climbed the female trees to fertilize the flowers by hand. —Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025

While many species of hydrangeas have white flowers, bigleaf hydrangeas are prized for their beautiful inflorescences that act as a natural pH indicator of the soil the plants grow in. —Dr. Nick Goltz, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025

The floral inflorescences look interesting even after the color fades. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025

There is a special kind of pride that comes with seeing a homegrown, burgeoning shrub with conical, foot-long inflorescences, each of which is composed of more than a hundred of tiny florets that are blanketed with nectar-seeking bees. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin inflorescentia, from Late Latin inflorescent-, inflorescens, present participle of inflorescere to begin to bloom, from Latin in- + florescere to begin to bloom — more at florescence

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inflorescence

• acquiescence
• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence
• opalescence

Kids Definition

inflorescence

noun

in·​flo·​res·​cence ˌin-flə-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: the pattern of development and arrangement of flowers on a stalk

b

: a flowering stalk with all its parts

also : a flower cluster or sometimes a flower that grows alone

2

: the forming and unfolding of blossoms