phloem

noun

phlo·​em ˈflō-ˌem How to pronounce phloem (audio)
: a complex tissue in the vascular system of higher plants that consists mainly of sieve tubes and elongated parenchyma cells usually with fibers and that functions in translocation and in support and storage compare xylem

Examples of phloem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The remnants of the xylem and phloem — tubules that transport water, sugars and nutrients throughout living leaves — somehow become a root. Douglas Main, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 The xylem helps to transport water, while the phloem helps move nutrients and sugars. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022 Just inside the bark is a tissue called phloem. Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 18 June 2021 Just as blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes can pick up malarial parasites or dengue viruses by biting infected humans, sap-sucking insects can pick up microbes by piercing the same infected phloem. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2011 See all Example Sentences for phloem 

Word History

Etymology

German, from Greek phloios, phloos bark; perhaps akin to Greek phlein to teem, abound, phlyein, phlyzein to boil over — more at fluid

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phloem was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near phloem

Cite this Entry

“Phloem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phloem. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

phloem

noun
phlo·​em ˈflō-ˌem How to pronounce phloem (audio)
: a tissue of higher plants that contains sieve tubes serving to carry dissolved food material and that lies mostly outside the cambium compare xylem

More from Merriam-Webster on phloem

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!