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
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
James Suckling2
: 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
Liesl Schillinger… the theatre is a wonderful testimony to the city's artistic flowering in the era of art nouveau.—Robert Fox
Robert FoxExamples of flowering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
To propagate begonias, take 3- to 4-inch cuttings from non-flowering begonia stems.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Not Repotting Over time, potting soil becomes depleted in nutrients or gets too dense to drain properly, leading to poor or no flowering in Christmas cacti.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flowering
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.
Adjective
The main problem with nandinas in general is their tendency to become invasive, a problem that is solved by planting non-flowering cultivars like 'Lemon-Lime'.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
To propagate begonias, take 3- to 4-inch cuttings from non-flowering begonia stems.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Some suggest this is because climate change is interfering with the flowering and pollination of some of the animals’ traditional sources of food.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Not Repotting Over time, potting soil becomes depleted in nutrients or gets too dense to drain properly, leading to poor or no flowering in Christmas cacti.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flowering
Cite this Entry
“Flowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flowering. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share