safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsa-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely cultivated Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) with large usually orange or red flower heads and seeds rich in oil

also : a red dyestuff prepared from the flower heads

Examples of safflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s packed with skin-loving, odor-fighting ingredients including Vitamin E oil, chamomile extract, elderberry fruit extract, aloe, prickly pear fruit extract, sunflower seed oil, and safflower seed oil. —Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Fields in the farmlands program, such as Tibbitts’ safflower field, effectively serve as temporary wetlands. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Dihomo-linoleate levels be boosted by eating more nuts and whole grains, and by using vegetable oils like sunflower or safflower. —New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025

Featuring goodies like safflower, rose-hip, olive, and lavender oils, this provides lightweight moisture to natural hair, especially those with low-porosity strands, working to prevent flakiness and itchiness. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French saffleur, from Old Italian saffiore, from Arabic ʽaṣfar, ʽuṣfur

First Known Use

circa 1660, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing safflower

• safflower oil

Rhymes for safflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely grown Old World herb related to the daisies that has large orange or red flower heads that are the source of a dye and seeds rich in edible oil

Medical Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

1

: a widely grown Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) that has large orange or red flower heads from which a red dyestuff is prepared and seeds rich in oil

2

: a drug consisting of the dried florets of the safflower that has been used in medicine in place of saffron

called also carthamus