gymnosperm

American  

[jim-nuh-spurm] / ˈdʒɪm nəˌspɜrm /

noun

Botany.

1. a vascular plant having seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary; a conifer or cycad.

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gymnosperm British  

/ ˈdʒɪmnəʊˌspɜːm, ˈɡɪm- /

noun

1. any seed-bearing plant in which the ovules are borne naked on the surface of the megasporophylls, which are often arranged in cones. Gymnosperms, which include conifers and cycads, are traditionally classified in the division Gymnospermae but in modern classifications are split into separate phyla Compare angiosperm

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gymnosperm Scientific  

/ jĭm′nə-spûrm′ /

1. Any of a group of seed-bearing plants whose ovules are not enclosed in an ovary, but are exposed on the surface of sporophylls or similar structures. Each ovule may contain several eggs, all of which may be fertilized and start to develop in a process known as polyembryony. In most seeds, however, only a single embryo survives. The reproductive structures of many gymnosperms are arranged in cones. The gymnosperms do not form a distinct monophyletic grouping, but simply include all the seed-bearing plants that are not angiosperms. In addition to several extinct groups, there are four very diverse living gymnosperm phyla: the conifers, the cycads, the ginkgo (surviving in a single species), and the gnetophytes.

2. Compare angiosperm See more at seed-bearing plant

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Other Word Forms

• gymnospermism
  noun
• gymnospermous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gymnosperm

First recorded in 1820–30, gymnosperm is from the New Latin word gymnospermae name of type. See gymno-, -sperm

Compare meaning

How does gymnosperm compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• angiosperm vs. gymnosperm

Example Sentences

Gymnosperms bear their seeds inside cones and include pine, spruce, and fir trees.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

Gymnosperms produce seeds that are exposed on the scales within cones.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

Gymnosperms were preceded by progymnosperms, the first naked seed plants, which arose about 380 million years ago.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Gymnosperms are heterosporous seed plants that produce naked seeds.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Welwitschia, wel-wich′i-a, n. a genus of African Gymnosperms belonging to the Gnetace�, and containing only one species, its flower consisting of a panicle of brilliant overlapping scarlet scales.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various