flowering

1 of 2

adjective

flow·​er·​ing ˈflau̇(-ə)r-iŋ 

1

: producing or bearing flowers

a flowering cactus

a flowering branch

: capable of producing flowers

a collection of flowering plants

flowering trees

2

: covered with or full of flowers

a flowering meadow

flowering

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or state of producing flowers : the period during which a plant produces flowers

the flowering of the iris

a plant that should be pruned only when flowering ends

Early flowering was followed by heat waves in July and August …

—James Suckling

2

: an unfolding or development

the gradual flowering of his talent

: a flourishing state or period of new development or growth

… when Christians, Muslims and Jews lived and worked together in peace and friendship, producing a rare flowering of art, science and commerce.

—Liesl Schillinger

… the theatre is a wonderful testimony to the city's artistic flowering in the era of art nouveau.

—Robert Fox

Examples of flowering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Is the chemistry of fern and flowering plant nectar the same? —Jacob S. Suissa, The Conversation, 20 June 2024

But this recently discovered preserved pollen came from non-flowering gymnosperms, a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers such as pine, fir and spruce trees. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023

Noun

Regular repotting promotes flowering and strong growth while supporting a decades-long life—some Christmas cactuses are passed down through generations! —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024

About a three-hour drive southeast from L.A., thousands flock each year to California’s largest state park to see its cacti flowering and its fields filled with other native blooms. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flowering

• flowering dogwood
• flowering plant