angiosperm
noun
an·gio·sperm
ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm 
plural angiosperms
: any of a class (Angiospermae) of vascular plants that have male and female reproductive structures enclosed in a flower, that have seeds which arise from ovules contained in the ovaries, and that produce dry or fleshy fruits after double fertilization : flowering plant
Angiosperms … have their ovules consistently enclosed in a carpel, which prevents direct access of pollen to the ovules.—
P. Barry Tomlinson
P. Barry TomlinsonPerhaps such habitats even antedate the appearance of angiosperm plants, which first flourished on a large scale in the Cretaceous period …—Michael Goulding
compare gymnosperm
Michael Goulding
angiospermy
noun
Angiospermy is a key innovation in angiosperms. It does not occur in other plant groups. The ovules are completely enclosed in a carpel.
—Peter K. Endress and Anton Igersheim
Peter K. Endress and Anton Igersheim
Examples of angiosperm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From the fossils, the research team identified conifer foliage, seed fern, and angiosperm leaves — flowering plants.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2025
The complementary relationships between angiosperms and animals generated, Eiseley argues, a world more intricate and interconnected, and the concentrated foodstuffs sped mammalian evolution.
—Rebecca Solnit
october 19, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2021
The surviving angiosperms got a boost from changes to the soil.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024
During this research, the team found out that angiosperms, which are generally hardwood trees like oaks and cherry, have macrofibrils measuring about 17 nanometers in diameter on average.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 31 July 2024
The evolution and spread of legumes, too, increased nitrogen levels in soils and favored the spread of angiosperms.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024
Today, nearly 80 percent of all terrestrial plants are angiosperms.
—Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
This finding highlights how resilient angiosperms have been over hundreds of millions of years.
—Jamie Thompson, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
Flowering plants are known to scientists as angiosperms.
—Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
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Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2025
The complementary relationships between angiosperms and animals generated, Eiseley argues, a world more intricate and interconnected, and the concentrated foodstuffs sped mammalian evolution.
—Rebecca Solnit
october 19, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2021
The surviving angiosperms got a boost from changes to the soil.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024
During this research, the team found out that angiosperms, which are generally hardwood trees like oaks and cherry, have macrofibrils measuring about 17 nanometers in diameter on average.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 31 July 2024
The evolution and spread of legumes, too, increased nitrogen levels in soils and favored the spread of angiosperms.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024
Today, nearly 80 percent of all terrestrial plants are angiosperms.
—Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
This finding highlights how resilient angiosperms have been over hundreds of millions of years.
—Jamie Thompson, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
Flowering plants are known to scientists as angiosperms.
—Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Angiosperm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angiosperm. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
angiosperm
noun
an·gio·sperm
ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm
Medical Definition
angiosperm
noun
an·gio·sperm
ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm
: any of a class (Angiospermae) of plants (as oaks or roses) that have reproductive structures contained in flowers and seeds enclosed in ovaries compare gymnosperm
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