angiosperm

noun

an·​gio·​sperm ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm 

plural angiosperms

: any of a group (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

Perhaps such habitats even antedate the appearance of angiosperm plants, which first flourished on a large scale in the Cretaceous period …

—Michael Goulding

compare gymnosperm

angiospermous

ˌan-jē-ə-ˈspər-məs 

adjective

angiospermous plant species

angiospermy

ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspər-mē 

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

Examples of angiosperm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flowering plants, called angiosperms, employ an immense diversity of reproductive strategies. — Jeanne Timmons, Scientific American, 29 July 2026

Most angiosperms, or fruiting plants, rely heavily on animals to disperse their seeds; the logic behind this partnership is basic, yet also elegant. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2026

The most recent major plant evolution happened around 140 million years ago, when flowering plants, what scientists call angiosperms, appeared. — Erin Potter, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

At that time, the flowering plants (angiosperms) were starting to become dominant. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025

The team also identified the chemical biomarkers for angiosperms and gymnosperms, woody, seed-producing plants. — Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2025

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 surviving angiosperms got a boost from changes to the soil. — Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French angiosperme "angiospermous plant," noun derivative of angiosperme "angiospermous," borrowed from New Latin angiospermus "having seeds contained in a capsule, having a pericarp," from Greek angeîon "vessel, container" + -o- -o- + -spermos "having a seed (of the kind specified)," derivative of spérma "seed" — more at angio-, sperm

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for angiosperm

• disaffirm
• ectoderm
• endoderm
• endosperm
• interfirm
• isotherm
• mesoderm
• periderm
• reaffirm
• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm

Kids Definition

angiosperm

noun

an·​gio·​sperm ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm 

: flowering plant

angiospermous

ˌan-jē-ə-ˈspər-məs 

adjective

Medical Definition

angiosperm

noun

an·​gio·​sperm ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspərm 

: any of a group (Angiospermae) of plants (as oaks or roses) that have reproductive structures contained in flowers and seeds enclosed in ovaries compare gymnosperm

angiospermous

ˌan-jē-ə-ˈspər-məs 

adjective