inflorescence
Americannoun
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a flowering or blossoming.
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Botany.
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the arrangement of flowers on the axis.
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the flowering part of a plant.
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a flower cluster.
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flowers collectively.
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noun
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the part of a plant that consists of the flower-bearing stalks
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the arrangement of the flowers on the stalks
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the process of flowering; blossoming
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A group of flowers growing from a common stem, often in a characteristic arrangement.
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Also called flower cluster
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inflorescence
First recorded in 1750–60; from New Latin inflōrēscentia, from Late Latin inflōrēscent- (stem of inflōrēscēns present participle of inflōrēscere “to bloom 1; ” see in- 2, flora, -escent, -ence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What many people mistake for a single enormous flower is actually an inflorescence — a structure made up of hundreds of tiny flowers at the base.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2025
A true titan with the largest inflorescence on Earth it radiates an intoxicating perfume that has been described as a blend of dead fish, rotting cabbage and garlic.
From Salon ● May 27, 2025
Its big pink inflorescence can last half a year.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
Phelps was thoroughly scientific about education — her botany text explains inflorescence, the classification of trillium, and the theory of metamorphoses of the organs of plants — but nature also inspired her.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 21, 2021
The arrangement of flowers in a cluster; the science of the relative position of flowers; inflorescence.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
