flowering plant

noun

plural flowering plants
: any of a class (Angiospermae) of vascular plants that have male and female reproductive structures enclosed in a flower, that have seeds which arise from ovules contained in the ovaries, and that produce dry or fleshy fruits after double fertilization : angiosperm
The butterflies feed off the nectar of any flowering plant and lay their eggs on what's called a host plant.Michael Fitzpatrick
About 75% of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators and over 200,000 species of animals act as pollinators.Steve Smith
Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant, measures less than 5 millimeters across.Timothy Cooney et al.

Examples of flowering plant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Especially memorable designs include its Naga choker, wherein each gem represents ornaments worn by a different native tribe, and its Naga orchid necklace, inspired by the nearly 400 species of the flowering plant found in the region. Sohini Dey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 Then there’s Baicapil, a blend of baikal skullcap (a flowering plant native to East Asia), wheat germ, and soybean germ extracts intended to encourage a healthy hair-growth cycle. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 This can lead to bigger, more colorful blooms on flowering plants and stronger foliage and production on plants, including vegetables. Heather Bien, The Spruce, 22 Aug. 2026 Like many flowering plants, Cassiope needs help moving pollen — the male reproductive cells — to the female parts of another flower. Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flowering plant

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flowering plant was in 1725

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Cite this Entry

“Flowering plant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flowering%20plant. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

flowering plant

noun
: any of a major group of higher plants that produce flowers, fruits, and seeds with the seeds in a closed ovary

called also angiosperm

compare seed plant

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