: any of a genus (Helianthus, especially H. annuus) of New World composite plants with large yellow-rayed flower heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil

Examples of sunflower in a Sentence

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Ukraine and Russia are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food that developing nations rely on. — Hanna Arhirova, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 Infused with sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, squalane, and shea butter, Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow feels like, well, butter gliding onto your lips. — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026 The company currently grows sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes and alfalfa on the land. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Last year for my birthday, two of my closest friends gifted me this beautiful Bellocchi casserole, which worked great alongside the yellows and greens of the sunflowers as an unconventional but perfect salad bowl. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunflower

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunflower was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“Sunflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunflower. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

sunflower

noun
: any of a genus of tall herbs that are often grown for their large showy flower heads with yellow ray flowers and for their oil-rich seeds

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