sunflower

American  

[suhn-flou-er] / ˈsʌnˌflaʊ ər /

noun

1. any of various composite plants of the genus Helianthus, as H. annuus, having showy, yellow-rayed flower heads often 12 inches (30 centimeters) wide, and edible seeds that yield an oil with a wide variety of uses: the state flower of Kansas.

2. Also called aster.  Furniture. a conventionalized flower motif carved in the center panels of a Connecticut chest.

---

sunflower British  

/ ˈsʌnˌflaʊə /

noun

1. any of several American plants of the genus Helianthus, esp H. annuus, having very tall thick stems, large flower heads with yellow rays, and seeds used as food, esp for poultry: family Asteraceae (composites) See also Jerusalem artichoke

2. the oil extracted from sunflower seeds, used as a salad oil, in the manufacture of margarine, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of sunflower

First recorded in 1555–65; translation of Latin flōs sōlis “flower of the sun”

Example Sentences

A bunch of broken planter boxes hold sunflowers that reach for the sky.

From Literature

“Plus I got to listen to my other perfect granddaughter read her first book and help her plant her first sunflower,” she wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

He adds that using this by-product increases the nutritional value of bread while lowering the environmental footprint of sunflower oil production.

From Science Daily

Price gains for palm, soy, and sunflower oils—driven by seasonal supply slowdowns, tight export availability, and strong demand—more than offset a decline in rapeseed oil prices due to ample EU supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 15 pleas to adopt Valerio, showing him in playful postures such as playing fetch and posing in a sunflower hat, remain live on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times