: any of a genus (Helianthus, especially H. annuus) of New World composite plants with large yellow-rayed flower heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil

Examples of sunflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company currently grows sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes and alfalfa on the land. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Last year for my birthday, two of my closest friends gifted me this beautiful Bellocchi casserole, which worked great alongside the yellows and greens of the sunflowers as an unconventional but perfect salad bowl. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 Aina emphasized the importance of color in influencing moods and self-perception and aims to bring joy to people in a sometimes-frustrating world through the use of the sun and sunflower motifs. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2026 Think cheery purple asters and yellow splashes of goldenrod, silk-grass and sunflowers. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunflower

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunflower was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“Sunflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunflower. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

sunflower

noun
: any of a genus of tall herbs that are often grown for their large showy flower heads with yellow ray flowers and for their oil-rich seeds

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