flax

noun

ˈflaks 

often attributive

1

: any of a genus (Linum of the family Linaceae, the flax family) of herbs

especially : a slender erect annual (L. usitatissimum) with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber and seed

2

: the fiber of the flax plant especially when prepared for spinning

3

: any of several plants resembling flax

flaxy

ˈflak-sē 

adjective

Examples of flax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company has turned a former flax mill into a modern production site, now capable of handling up to 14,000 tons annually. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Ground flax can also be used as breading on fish or eggplant as a healthier option. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025

Some healthy pairings are bananas with almond butter or an apple with yogurt and ground flax seeds. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025

This navy version is so unique, but the flax and black options are just as classic. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fleax; akin to Old High German flahs flax, Latin plectere to braid — more at ply

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flax

• axe
• backs
• blacks
• cracks
• fax
• hacks
• jacks
• knacks
• lacks
• lakhs
• lax
• macs

Kids Definition

flax

noun

ˈflaks 

: a slender plant with blue flowers that is grown for its fiber from which linen is made and for its seed from which oil and livestock feed are obtained

also : its fiber