: any of a division (Polypodiophyta) or class (Polypodiopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations
especially : any of an order (Polypodiales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

Examples of fern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Plus, the area is one of only two Indiana sites where mountain spleenwort, a small fern, grows. Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Sep. 2025 However, the most common plant types were ferns and their relatives, which likely accounted for 42% of the total plant types. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025 The ground cover was thick with ferns, moss, felled trees, and other low-lying plants. Greg Sullivan, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025 Along the narrow, two‑lane mountain road were slopes on either side, planted with rice or else wild with tropical flora and giant ferns. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fern

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fern was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fern. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

fern

noun
: any of an order of vascular plants resembling seed plants in having root, stem, and leaflike fronds but reproducing by spores instead of by flowers and seeds
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fern

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