pericarp
noun
peri·carp
ˈper-ə-ˌkärp 
plural pericarps
: the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary composed of an outer exocarp, middle mesocarp, and inner endocarp layer see endocarp illustration
Examples of pericarp in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mangosteen pericarp improved memory retention in mice studies.15 Anti-inflammatory effects: Supplementing with mangosteen extract potentially reduces C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
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Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
At that point, the pericarp contracts, and both the fruit and the seeds are violently expelled through the resulting hole.
—ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
As the kernel heats up, the water inside the endosperm turns into superheated steam, increasing the pressure inside the pericarp.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2022
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Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
At that point, the pericarp contracts, and both the fruit and the seeds are violently expelled through the resulting hole.
—ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
As the kernel heats up, the water inside the endosperm turns into superheated steam, increasing the pressure inside the pericarp.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Pericarp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pericarp. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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