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
an·gio·sper·mous
¦an-jē-ə-¦spər-məs
variants
or angiospermal
or less commonly angiospermatous
or angiospermic
¦an-jē-ə-¦spər-məl
¦an-jē-ə-¦spər-mə-təs
¦an-jē-ə-¦spər-mik
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the class Angiospermae
often
: having ovules and seeds enclosed in an ovary
—contrasted with gymnospermous
angiospermy
noun
ˈan-jē-ə-ˌspər-mē
plural -es
Examples of angiosperm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
University of Cambridge plant biologist Beverley Glover, a co-author of the commentary piece, agrees but adds that angiosperms enjoy the best of both worlds—scent and color.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 11 Dec. 2025
At that time, the flowering plants (angiosperms) were starting to become dominant.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
From the fossils, the research team identified conifer foliage, seed fern, and angiosperm leaves — flowering 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
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
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Noun
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
University of Cambridge plant biologist Beverley Glover, a co-author of the commentary piece, agrees but adds that angiosperms enjoy the best of both worlds—scent and color.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 11 Dec. 2025
At that time, the flowering plants (angiosperms) were starting to become dominant.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
From the fossils, the research team identified conifer foliage, seed fern, and angiosperm leaves — flowering 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
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
Cite this Entry
“Angiosperm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angiosperm. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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 group (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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