: 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
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
Noun
This sun-loving plant produces colorful spring flowers that range from white to vivid purples and pinks.—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024 Guests are also encouraged to participate in cultural activities such as the morning ritual of giving alms through offering food and flowers to local Buddhist monks on the river or taking advantage of complimentary boat and city tours.—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2024
Verb
Hot summer temperatures sometimes cause sweet alyssum to stop blooming, but these plants will flower again when temperatures cool.—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2024 When flowering, sedge is easy to identify due to a triangular stem supporting the green tops.—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for flower
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flower.' 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
Noun
Middle English flour, flur "blossom of a plant, prime of life, best of a class, ground grain free of bran," borrowed from Anglo-French flour, flur (also continental Old French), going back to Latin flōr-, flōs "flower, bloom, flourishing condition, choicest part, best of a class," going back to Indo-European *bhleh3-os, s-stem derivative from the verbal base *bhleh3- "bloom, break into flower" — more at blow entry 3
Verb
Middle English flouren "(of a plant) to blossom, to bloom, be vigourous," derivative of flour, flurflour entry 1
: 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
Middle English flour "flower, best part," from early French flor, flour (same meaning), from Latin flor-, flos "flower, blossom" — related to florid, flour, flourish
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