peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl How to pronounce peduncle (audio) pi-ˈdəŋ- How to pronounce peduncle (audio)
1
: a stalk bearing a flower or flower cluster or a fructification
2
: a narrow part by which some larger part or the whole body of an organism is attached : stalk, pedicel
3
: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached
peduncular adjective

Examples of peduncle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web End of carousel During this peduncle elongation stage, the stalks bearing the blossom buds extend and, while the buds are still closed, the flowers become visible. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 In May 1991 the phantom killer was finally caught with its peduncle on the goods. Patrick Huyghe, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 As the frenzy increased, the dinos nearly doubled in size, the peduncle itself becoming swollen and assuming different shapes. Patrick Huyghe, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Nudged ahead by sunshine and highs in the 50s last week, the buds hit Stage 4 out of 6 on Saturday, known as peduncle elongation. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2023 On Thursday, the National Park Service announced that the blossom buds reached their fourth stage out of six: peduncle elongation. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 The interactions can become physical, if the pod chases the newcomer or bites his peduncle, the area at the base of the tail. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2023 The National Phenology Network is reporting the first of the spring leaves beginning to emerge across parts of southern Iowa and the cherry blossoms in Washington DC have reached the 'peduncle elongation' stage, meaning that peak bloom is likely about a week away! Todd Nelson, Star Tribune, 25 Mar. 2021 In addition to its color, this plant part is in specific relation: perhaps unhelpfully peduncolo means peduncle, which is a stem that ends at a flower or a fruit, this grape’s lifeline bestowing also the cultivar’s red name. Susan H. Gordon, Forbes, 6 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peduncle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pedunculus, diminutive of Latin ped-, pes

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peduncle was in 1702

Dictionary Entries Near peduncle

Cite this Entry

“Peduncle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peduncle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peduncle

noun
pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl How to pronounce peduncle (audio) pi-ˈdəŋ- How to pronounce peduncle (audio)
: a narrow part by which some larger part or the body of a living thing is attached
especially : a stalk that supports a flower cluster

Medical Definition

peduncle

noun
pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl How to pronounce peduncle (audio) pi-ˈ How to pronounce peduncle (audio)
1
: a band of white matter joining different parts of the brain see cerebellar peduncle, cerebral peduncle
2
: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached
peduncular adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on peduncle

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