: any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations
especially : any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

Examples of fern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The buoyant greenery is azolla, a tiny fern that grows like crazy, doubling its biomass as quickly as every two days to conquer small bodies of water. Matt Simon, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’, Peperomia albovittata ‘Piccolo Banda’, Aglaonema ‘Lady Valentine’, and Staghorn fern. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 Also from the Schweitzer family, this Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend is a deep dark colored wine with aromas of earth and ferns. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Notable examples include the walking fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum), native to the United States, which spreads about mossy rocks using this technique. Douglas Main, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Hefty aromas of minestrone soup, forest, cherry drops and ferns. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Hellebores do well at the edge of a woodland garden with other shade-loving perennials, such as ferns, hostas, gingers, foamflowers, and toad lilies. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2024 Stroll through Windows to the Tropics, a large conservatory in which rare palms, ferns and tropical plants thrive year-round. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Her metallic lace slip gown was embroidered with sequins, pearls and crystals to look like fern leaves. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fern was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fern

Cite this Entry

“Fern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fern. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fern

noun
: any of an order of vascular plants resembling seed plants in having root, stem, and leaflike fronds but reproducing by spores instead of by flowers and seeds
fernlike adjective
ferny adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fern

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