flower

  noun
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flow·er | \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r  \
Definition of flower
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1a: the specialized part of an angiospermous  plant that occurs singly or in
clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the
reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the
development of seeds and fruit : BLOSSOM
b: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is
often viewed as a single flower : INFLORESCENCEa hydrangea flower
c: a plant grown or valued for its flowersplanted flowers in the front yard
d: a cut stem of a plant with its flowera bouquet of flowers
e: BLOOM ENTRY 2 SENSE 1Blilacs in full flower
2a: the best part or examplethe flower of our youth
b: the finest most vigorous periodwasted the flower of their lives
c: a state of blooming or flourishingin full flower
3flowers  plural : a finely divided powder produced especially by
condensation or sublimationflowers of sulfur

flower
  verb
flowered; flowering; flowers
Definition of flower (Entry 2 of 2)
intransitive verb
1a: DEVELOPflowered into young womanhood
b: FLOURISH SENSE 2
2: to produce flowers : BLOSSOM
transitive verb
1: to cause to bear flowers
2: to decorate with flowers or floral designs
Illustration of flower

Noun

cross section of flower

1b: 1 filament, 2 anther, 3 stigma, 4 style, 5 petal, 6 ovary, 7 sepal, 8 pedicel, 
9 stamen, 10 pistil, 11 perianth
In the meaning defined above
Other Words from   flowerSynonyms More Example
Sentences Learn More about   flower
Other Words from flower
Noun

flowered \ ˈflau̇(-ə)rd  \ adjective
flowerful \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl  \ adjective
flowerless \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ləs  \ adjective
flowerlike \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk  \ adjective

Verb

flowerer \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ər  \ noun
 Synonyms for flower
Synonyms: Noun

 bloom, 
 blossom

Synonyms: Verb

 bloom, 
 blossom, 
 blow, 
 burgeon 
 (also bourgeon), 
 effloresce, 
 unfold
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Examples of flower in a Sentence

Noun We planted flowers in the garden. He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
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Recent Examples on the Web: NounThe image of a phoenix rising from the
ash perfectly suits the beautiful and strong Kelly Marie Tran combined with
the lotus motif in the center of the headdress, which is the national flower  of
Vietnam.— Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kelly Marie Tran Hits the Virtual Red
Carpet as the First South East Asian Disney Princess," 6 Mar. 2021Peak bloom is
reached when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms flower  along the Tidal
Basin.— Washington Post, "2021 Cherry blossom forecast: Peak bloom expected around
April 1," 5 Mar. 2021
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect
current usage of the word 'flower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of
Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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First Known Use of flower

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
History and Etymology for flower
Noun and Verb

Middle English flour flower, best of anything, flour, from Anglo-French flur,

flour, flaur, from Latin flor-, flos — more at BLOW

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Time Traveler for flower

The first known use of flower was in the 13th century

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Opening Up on the Names of Flower Parts

Stopping to smell (and examine) the roses

Is That Plant 'Perennial' or 'Annual'?

We get asked at least once a year

The Stories Behind 10 Flower Names

...and how hard each is to rhyme

Dictionary Entries near flower

flow counter
flow cytometry
flow diagram
flower
flowerage
flower bed
flower beetle
See More Nearby Entries  

Phrases Related to flower

come into flower
flower bed
in flower
in the flower of one's youth
Statistics for flower
Last Updated

12 Mar 2021

Look-up Popularity

Top 1% of words
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 12 Mar.
2021.
Style: MLA

More Definitions for flower

flower
  noun
English Language Learners Definition of flower
 (Entry 1 of 2)
: the part of a plant that is often brightly colored, that usually lasts a short
time, and from which the seed or fruit develops
: a small plant that is grown for its beautiful flowers
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower

flower
  verb
English Language Learners Definition of flower (Entry 2 of
2)
: to produce flowers
: to develop or grow in a successful way
See the full definition for flower in the English Language Learners Dictionary

flower
  noun
flow·er | \ ˈflau̇-ər  \
Kids Definition of flower
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1: a plant part that produces seed
2: a small plant grown chiefly for its showy flowers
3: the state of bearing flowersin full flower
4: the best part or examplein the flower of youth
Other Words from flower
flowered \ -ərd \ adjective
flowerless \ -ər-ləs \ adjective

flower
  verb
flowered; flowering
Kids Definition of flower (Entry 2 of 2)
: BLOOM ENTRY 2 SENSE 1
More from Merriam-Webster on flower
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for  flower
Nglish: Translation of flower for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flower for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about  flower
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