pericarp

noun

peri·​carp ˈper-ə-ˌkärp 

plural pericarps

: the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary composed of an outer exocarp, middle mesocarp, and inner endocarp layer see endocarp illustration

Examples of pericarp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, despite this, supplementing with mangosteen pericarp extract does not improve cognitive outcomes in people with schizophrenia. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025

At that point, the pericarp contracts, and both the fruit and the seeds are violently expelled through the resulting hole. — ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025

Each has a tough outer shell, called the pericarp, within which lies the germ (seed embryo) and the endosperm. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pericarpium, from Greek perikarpion pod, from peri- + -karpion -carp

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pericarp

• endocarp
• carp
• harp
• scarp
• tarp