labellum
noun
la·bel·lum
lə-ˈbe-ləm 
plural labella
lə-ˈbe-lə
1
: the median and usually most morphologically distinct member of the corolla of an orchid
2
: a terminal part of the labium or labrum of various insects
Examples of labellum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Consider, for instance, the Paphiopedilum, or slipper orchid, so named for the shoe-like appendage, called a labellum, into which pollinating insects crawl.
—
Chloe Schama, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
The sepals, which are pink, petal-like extensions of the flower, look like wings while the lip (or labellum) mimics the body of a bee.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2020
The slipper orchids had brightly colored labellum surrounded by two massive petals and were about the size of a hand, fairly large for an orchid.
—Katy Kelleher, Longreads, 9 Oct. 2019
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.
Chloe Schama, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
The sepals, which are pink, petal-like extensions of the flower, look like wings while the lip (or labellum) mimics the body of a bee.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2020
The slipper orchids had brightly colored labellum surrounded by two massive petals and were about the size of a hand, fairly large for an orchid.
—Katy Kelleher, Longreads, 9 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Labellum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labellum. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share