Illustration of flower
- 1 filament
- 2 anther
- 3 stigma
- 4 style
- 5 petal
- 6 ovary
- 7 sepal
- 8 pedicel
- 9 stamen
- 10 pistil
- 11 perianth
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers in the front yard
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
e
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full flower
2
a
: the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b
: the finest most vigorous period
wasted the flower of their lives
c
: a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3
flowers plural
: a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flowers of sulfur
flowered; flowering; flowers
1
a
: develop
flowered into young womanhood
b
: flourish sense 2
a movement that flowered in the early 21st century
Examples of flower in a Sentence
Noun
We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.
Verb
This tree flowers in early spring.
The plant will flower every other year.
His genius flowered at the university.
a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
In a lab experiment, the insects were able to roll a plastic foam ball underneath an artificial blue flower, climb over the ball and use it to reach the flower, obtaining a sugary reward.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Your plant may resume flowering once conditions improve.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flower
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Noun
The first experiment featured an artificial flower placed above a pit in the floor so that there was insufficient space for a bee to hover to reach the flower.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
In a lab experiment, the insects were able to roll a plastic foam ball underneath an artificial blue flower, climb over the ball and use it to reach the flower, obtaining a sugary reward.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Verb
Old Fashioned Climbing petunias flower with a frenzy from spring until fall.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Your plant may resume flowering once conditions improve.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a specialized plant part that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses often colorful petals or sepals, and bears reproductive organs involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
2
: the best part or example
in the flower of his youth
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
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