: one of the ovule-bearing structures in an angiosperm that comprises the innermost whorl of a flower compare pistil
Examples of carpel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Flowers are built from parts named sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels, which are arranged in whorls.
—
Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2023
The carpel grabs the pollen and transfers it to a chamber called an ovary, where seeds develop.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 26 May 2021
Her hypochondriac and pregnant mother, Alli Mauzey, is more invested in her recent carpel tunnel surgery than her daughter’s increasing demise.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023
The carpel protects the ovules, as the fruit later protects the seed.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Their seeds form in the carpel, a tubular structure that sticks up from the center of a flower and matures into a pod that holds seeds—peas or beans, for example—inside.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 26 May 2021
When petals are gone, structural carpels, the center seed-bearing structure, are shown off.
—Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2020
Fun facts: The fruits (schizocarps) of Falkia repens are dry dehiscent fruit that split into two or more separate carpels at maturity.
—Earl Nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2018
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Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2023
The carpel grabs the pollen and transfers it to a chamber called an ovary, where seeds develop.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 26 May 2021
Her hypochondriac and pregnant mother, Alli Mauzey, is more invested in her recent carpel tunnel surgery than her daughter’s increasing demise.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023
The carpel protects the ovules, as the fruit later protects the seed.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Their seeds form in the carpel, a tubular structure that sticks up from the center of a flower and matures into a pod that holds seeds—peas or beans, for example—inside.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 26 May 2021
When petals are gone, structural carpels, the center seed-bearing structure, are shown off.
—Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2020
Fun facts: The fruits (schizocarps) of Falkia repens are dry dehiscent fruit that split into two or more separate carpels at maturity.
—Earl Nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Carpel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
carpel
noun
car·pel
ˈkär-pəl 
: one of the structures deep inside a flower that together make up the ovary of a flowering plant
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