anther

noun

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an·ther | \ ˈan(t)-thər

Definition of anther

: the part of a stamen that produces and contains pollen and is usually borne on a stalk — see flower illustration

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Examples of anther in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each stalk is referred to as a filament and is topped by an anther (which contains the pollen). — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2022 This transfers pollen from the male reproductive organs, called anthers, to the pistils, where pollination commences. — Matt Simon, WIRED, 23 May 2018 Each flower displays deep purple petals and showy, bright yellow anthers. — Dave Taft, New York Times, 27 July 2017 The pollen-bearing anthers extend beyond the mouth of the flower, and are usually purple while the pollen is light yellow. — Brian Kemble, The Mercury News, 8 June 2017 The anthers (the male parts of a flower) are a bluish purple and stand out prominently in the center of each flower. — Dave Taft, New York Times, 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anther.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for anther

borrowed from New Latin anthēra, going back to Medieval Latin, "medication made from a flower, internal organs of a rose flower (used to make such medications)," going back to Latin, "medication made from a flower," borrowed from Greek anthērá, noun derivative from feminine of anthērós "of a flower, flowery, blooming," from anthe-, ánthos "flower" + -ēros, variant, before s-stems, of -ros, adjective suffix — more at antho-