Illustration of flower
- 1 filament
- 2 anther
- 3 stigma
- 4 style
- 5 petal
- 6 ovary
- 7 sepal
- 8 pedicel
- 9 stamen
- 10 pistil
- 11 perianth
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers in the front yard
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
e
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full flower
2
a
: the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b
: the finest most vigorous period
wasted the flower of their lives
c
: a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3
flowers plural
: a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flowers of sulfur
flowered; flowering; flowers
1
a
: develop
flowered into young womanhood
b
: flourish sense 2
a movement that flowered in the early 21st century
Examples of flower in a Sentence
Noun
We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.
Verb
This tree flowers in early spring.
The plant will flower every other year.
His genius flowered at the university.
a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s
Recent Examples on the Web
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Give It a Soak Think of your garland as a big, thirsty bunch of fresh flowers.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The circular lists 127 species of plants, using in most cases both common and Latin names, and asks observers to mark opposite each species its date of flowering.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flower
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Previous reports of unwelcome agricultural pests intercepted amid imports at DTW include African bushmeat brought by travelers from Togo and Gabon, caper fruit fly larvae amid fresh flowers from Italy, and a tropical beetle species found amid partially dry bark from the Ivory Coast.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Give It a Soak Think of your garland as a big, thirsty bunch of fresh flowers.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
Poinsettias originate from Central America and Mexico and flower best when the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees during the day and in the low 60s at night.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The circular lists 127 species of plants, using in most cases both common and Latin names, and asks observers to mark opposite each species its date of flowering.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a specialized plant part that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses often colorful petals or sepals, and bears reproductive organs involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
2
: the best part or example
in the flower of his youth
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share