sunflower

noun

sun·​flow·​er ˈsən-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: any of a genus (Helianthus, especially H. annuus) of New World composite plants with large yellow-rayed flower heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil

Examples of sunflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The catastrophic flooding has forced thousands of people to evacuate, including Eddie Wicks and his wife, who live amid sunflowers and Christmas trees on a Washington state farm next to the Snoqualmie River. —CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

Alongside rice bran extract, the formula blends olive oil (to whisk away makeup and excess sebum), sunflower seed oil (to soothe and moisturize), macadamia seed oil (to strengthen your barrier), jojoba seed oil (to balance and refine), and tocopherol for an extra antioxidant boost. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Dec. 2025

After the multi-year marine heatwave hit the North Pacific in late 2013, warmer ocean temperatures that followed not only stressed kelp but also worsened the spread of sea star wasting disease that wiped out sunflower sea stars — one of the purple urchin’s main predators. —Chaewon Chung december 11, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Gardening Gifts Under $25 The gardener in your life will be happy to receive this five-piece gardening tool set, a sunflower planter kit for their windowsill, or a glass terrarium for leaf cuttings. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sunflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• wallflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

sunflower

noun

sun·​flow·​er -ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: any of a genus of tall herbs that are often grown for their large showy flower heads with yellow ray flowers and for their oil-rich seeds