monocotyledon

noun

mono·​cot·​y·​le·​don ˌmä-nə-ˌkä-tə-ˈlē-dᵊn 

plural monocotyledons

: any of a class or subclass (Liliopsida or Monocotyledoneae) of chiefly herbaceous angiospermous plants having an embryo with a single cotyledon, usually parallel-veined leaves, and floral organs arranged in cycles of three

called also monocot

compare dicotyledon

monocotyledonous

ˌmä-nə-ˌkä-tə-ˈlē-dᵊn-əs 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from New Latin mon- + cotyledon cotyledon

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

monocotyledon

noun

mono·​cot·​y·​le·​don ˌmän-ə-ˌkät-ᵊl-ˈēd-ᵊn 

: any of a group of flowering plants (as the palms and grasses) having an embryo with a single cotyledon and usually leaves with parallel veins and flower parts in groups of three compare dicotyledon

monocotyledonous

-ᵊl-ˈēd-ᵊn-əs 

adjective