peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈdəŋ- 

1

: a stalk bearing a flower or flower cluster or a fructification

2

: a narrow part by which some larger part or the whole body of an organism is attached : stalk, pedicel

3

: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached

peduncled

ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəld. pi-ˈdəŋ- 

adjective

peduncular

pi-ˈdəŋ-kyə-lər 

adjective

Examples of peduncle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The peduncle extends into sandy or muddy sediment and serves as an anchor, secured by a single large polyp. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

Found worldwide — from shallow intertidal zones to depths exceeding 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) — sea pens anchor themselves by a bulbous peduncle from which specialized polyps extend. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

As of March 20, the official first day of spring, 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin reached the fourth stage in their blooming, which is peduncle elongation, according to the National Park Service. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025

Scars from a previous entanglement unrelated to the stranding event were found around the peduncle, which is the muscular area where the tail connects to the body; on the tail itself, and on the right front pectoral flipper. — Wayne Parry, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pedunculus, diminutive of Latin ped-, pes

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peduncle

• uncle
• carbuncle
• siphuncle

Kids Definition

peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈdəŋ- 

: a narrow part by which some larger part or the body of a living thing is attached

especially : a stalk that supports a flower cluster

Medical Definition

peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈ 

1

: a band of white matter joining different parts of the brain see cerebellar peduncle, cerebral peduncle

2

: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached

peduncular

pi-ˈdəŋ-kyə-lər 

adjective