samara

noun

sa·​ma·​ra ˈsa-mə-rə How to pronounce samara (audio)
sə-ˈma-rə,
-ˈmär-ə
: a dry indehiscent usually one-seeded winged fruit (as of an ash or elm tree)

called also key

Illustration of samara

Illustration of samara

Examples of samara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tree of heaven seed clusters hang down, each seed inside a flat samara like a small disc, that dries to brown-gray in winter. Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 31 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'samara.' 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, from Latin, seed of the elm

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of samara was in 1577

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Dictionary Entries Near samara

Cite this Entry

“Samara.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samara. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

samara

noun
sa·​ma·​ra ˈsam-ə-rə How to pronounce samara (audio)
sə-ˈmar-ə,
-ˈmär-
: a dry usually one-seeded winged fruit (as of an elm tree) that does not split open when ripe

Geographical Definition

Samara

geographical name

Sa·​ma·​ra sə-ˈmär-ə How to pronounce Samara (audio)
variants or 1935–91 Kuybyshev
ˈkwē-bə-ˌshef How to pronounce Samara (audio)
ˈkü-ē-bə-,
-ˌshev
city of eastern Russia in Europe in the valley of the Volga River population 1,165,000

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