Illustration of flower
- 1 filament
- 2 anther
- 3 stigma
- 4 style
- 5 petal
- 6 ovary
- 7 sepal
- 8 pedicel
- 9 stamen
- 10 pistil
- 11 perianth
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: 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 : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers in the front yard
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
e
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full flower
2
a
: the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b
: the finest most vigorous period
wasted the flower of their lives
c
: a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3
flowers plural
: a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flowers of sulfur
Synonyms
Examples of flower in a Sentence
Noun
We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.
Verb
This tree flowers in early spring.
The plant will flower every other year.
His genius flowered at the university.
a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s
Recent Examples on the Web
Escher Walcott, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Its flowers can be red, pink, white, purple, peach, or yellow.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
After decades dominated by one or two stars –Herbie Mann in the 1960s, Hubert Laws and Bobbi Humphrey in the ‘70s, and James Newton in the ‘80s — the flute has fully flowered in jazz since the ‘90s, led by Baum, Nicole Mitchell, Ali Ryerson and most recently Berkeley-reared Elena Pinderhughes.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flower 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
He was seen standing in the middle of the ranch with his arms raised holding a bunch of flowers in one hand.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Its flowers can be red, pink, white, purple, peach, or yellow.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Different varieties flower from fall to early spring.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
After decades dominated by one or two stars –Herbie Mann in the 1960s, Hubert Laws and Bobbi Humphrey in the ‘70s, and James Newton in the ‘80s — the flute has fully flowered in jazz since the ‘90s, led by Baum, Nicole Mitchell, Ali Ryerson and most recently Berkeley-reared Elena Pinderhughes.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flower
Dictionary Entries Near flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a specialized plant part that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses often colorful petals or sepals, and bears reproductive organs 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 : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
2
: the best part or example
in the flower of his youth
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
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