caryopsis
noun
cary·op·sis
ˌker-ē-ˈäp-səs 
ˌka-rē-
plural caryopses
ˌker-ē-ˈäp-ˌsēz
ˌka-rē-
also caryopsides
ˌker-ē-ˈäp-sə-ˌdēz
ˌka-rē-
: a small one-seeded dry indehiscent fruit (as of corn or wheat) in which the fruit and seed fuse in a single grain
Examples of caryopsis in a Sentence
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No Strictly botanically speaking, grains describe caryopses (a.k.a.
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Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 10 Dec. 2018
In Italy, these included the starch-rich rhizomes from Typha angustifolia, or narrow leaf cat tail, Typha latifolia, broad leaf cattail, as well as Brachypodium, grasses that have caryopsis, or grains, and are easy to grind and grow well in the area.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2010
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Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 10 Dec. 2018
In Italy, these included the starch-rich rhizomes from Typha angustifolia, or narrow leaf cat tail, Typha latifolia, broad leaf cattail, as well as Brachypodium, grasses that have caryopsis, or grains, and are easy to grind and grow well in the area.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Caryopsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caryopsis. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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