flower

noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of flower

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 : ²bloom 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

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flowered

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

—

flowerful

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl\ adjective

—

flowerless

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ləs\ adjective

—

flowerlike

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk\ adjective

See flower defined for English-language learners

See flower defined for kids

Examples of flower in a Sentence

We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

The medium-size crape myrtles with red flowers that are recommended are Country Red and Dynamite.

— calvin finch, San Antonio Express-News, "There’s a lot to love about crape myrtles," 6 July 2018
In Paris’s oldest basketball court, the pair erected a tropical paradise with neon flowers, lemon verbena wafting about, and the chirping sounds of Aussie birds on the soundtrack.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Romance Was Born Brings Its “Kinda Couture” to Paris," 3 July 2018
The bodies arrived at a large compound that is used as the crematory, its garden lined with hollyhock flowers.

— New York Times, "Bomb Rattles an Afghan Minority So Small ‘No One Is a Stranger’," 2 July 2018
Her hair was styled down, with flowers among her tresses.

— peter mikelbank, PEOPLE.com, "Vanessa Paradis, Johnny Depp's Ex, Marries Film Director Samuel Benchetrit in France," 30 June 2018
The couple filled the Chicago church and reception venue with flowers.

— Philly.com, "Philadelphia weddings: Tamara Lozano and Eric Stachura," 29 June 2018
With flowers in short supply, mourners make wreaths from twigs and leaves.

— The Economist, "Cuba’s funerals: cheap and especially uncheerful," 28 June 2018
So every war for them is like manna from heaven, since soldiers are laid to rest with flowers.

— linda kinstler, Longreads, "Angrily Experiencing the Best Days of Our Lives," 27 June 2018
Wardle remembers losing a beloved winter hat with flowers on the ear flaps during a bad date at the Rainbo.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Music / RIP Remembering soundman and musician Patrick Kenneally, who nurtured scenes in Chicago and Portland," 18 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of flower

Origin and Etymology of flower

Middle English flour flower, best of anything, flour, from Anglo-French flur, flour, flaur, from Latin flor-, flos — more at blow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

flower

verb

Definition of flower

flowered; flowering; flowers

intransitive verb

1 a : develop

flowered into young womanhood

b : flourish 2

2 : to produce flowers : blossom

transitive verb

1 : to cause to bear flowers

2 : to decorate with flowers or floral designs

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flowerer

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ər\ noun

See flower defined for English-language learners

Examples of flower in a Sentence

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 of flower from the Web

Although Pakistan isn’t an obvious choice for travel, part of this journey can be re-created these days in the peaceful region called Hunza Valley, with its stunning variety of landscapes, from glaciers to flowering meadows.

— bill jones, WSJ, "The Silk Road Meets the Auto Age: A Look Back," 22 June 2018
Many plants have already flowered, the leaves are at full size, and a majority of the trees and shrubs around the region won’t add more size in the next three months.

— dave epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s official: Summer has begun," 21 June 2018
In 2013, the European Union placed a moratorium on three kinds of neonicotinoids, forbidding their use in flowering crops that appeal to honey bees and other pollinating insects.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "European Union expands ban of three neonicotinoid pesticides," 27 Apr. 2018
Plants started indoors begin to flower, and those outside poke out of the thawing ground.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Grit, dust, melting snow – and lots of sunshine: It’s springtime in Alaska," 11 Apr. 2018
Cut back their flowering shoots to a new shoot, which will flower the following year.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Kiwis In Your Backyard," 6 Feb. 2018
The plants flower the second year, drop seeds and then die.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Battling garlic mustard: Noxious weeds get pulled from Lake County forests by teams of volunteers," 8 June 2018
After flowering, bromeliads die, but this can take a long time.

— kenneth setzer, miamiherald, "When grass or gravel won't do, these plants are easy and attractive ground cover | Miami Herald," 24 May 2018
Transplantation: Repot your cactus each year after flowering.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Keep Your Christmas Cactus Blooming Year After Year," 29 Dec. 2016

Origin and Etymology of flower

see ¹flower

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

bloom, blossom, blow, effloresce, unfold;

Near Antonyms

dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither;

die, drop, expire, perish;

Related Words

leaf, leave;

bud;

open;

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

noun

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

: the part of a plant that is often brightly colored, that usually lasts a short time, and from which the seed or fruit develops
: a small plant that is grown for its beautiful flowers
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower

flower

verb

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

: to produce flowers
: to develop or grow in a successful way

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇-ər \

Definition of flower for Students

1 : a plant part that produces seed

2 : a small plant grown chiefly for its showy flowers

3 : the state of bearing flowers

in full flower

4 : the best part or example

in the flower of youth

—

flowered

\-ərd\ adjective

—

flowerless

\-ər-ləs\ adjective

flower

verb

Definition of flower for Students

flowered; flowering

: ²bloom 1

Learn More about flower

See words that rhyme with flower Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flower Spanish Central: Translation of flower Nglish: Translation of flower for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flower for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flower

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up flower? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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flower

Definition of flower

flowered

flowerful

flowerless

flowerlike

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Illustration of flower

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

flower

Definition of flower

flowerer

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to FLOWER

Related Phrases

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

flower

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

Definition of flower for Students

flowered

flowerless

flower

Definition of flower for Students

Learn More about flower

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