: any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations
especially
: any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern
Examples of fern in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The banks on either side are densely planted with maple trees, lady palms, ferns and ground-cover moss.
—
Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
This fern typically grows 1 to 3 feet and spreads around 2 feet but is considered slow-growing.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
Java Ferns Another hardy and low-maintenance option for freshwater tanks that Vella recommends, java ferns thrive in low to moderate-light conditions, have a slow growth rate, and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2024
The Desert Dome is divided geographically to house the palms, ferns, succulents, trees and cacti that are found in deserts in Madagascar, other parts of Africa, the Canary Islands, South America and North America.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2024
There are a few gold back ferns, which are of interest because the golden undersides leave a powdery yellow imprint of the leaflets on any contrasting fabric.
—Jim Holden, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Lady fern is very common across the Eastern and Central United States.
—Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024
Light red fruity aromas as well as some earth and wet ferns.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
The path, sometimes manicured with paving stones, sometimes a muddy track, wound through thick cloud forests and was dotted with mosses, ferns, and bromeliads.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2023
Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
This fern typically grows 1 to 3 feet and spreads around 2 feet but is considered slow-growing.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
Java Ferns Another hardy and low-maintenance option for freshwater tanks that Vella recommends, java ferns thrive in low to moderate-light conditions, have a slow growth rate, and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2024
The Desert Dome is divided geographically to house the palms, ferns, succulents, trees and cacti that are found in deserts in Madagascar, other parts of Africa, the Canary Islands, South America and North America.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2024
There are a few gold back ferns, which are of interest because the golden undersides leave a powdery yellow imprint of the leaflets on any contrasting fabric.
—Jim Holden, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Lady fern is very common across the Eastern and Central United States.
—Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024
Light red fruity aromas as well as some earth and wet ferns.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
The path, sometimes manicured with paving stones, sometimes a muddy track, wound through thick cloud forests and was dotted with mosses, ferns, and bromeliads.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fern. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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