safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsa-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely cultivated Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) with large usually orange or red flower heads and seeds rich in oil

also : a red dyestuff prepared from the flower heads

Examples of safflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This group includes canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, rice bran, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils. Skepticism of the hateful eight stems from the production process of many seed oils, which uses mechanical or chemical treatment. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025

Its ingredient lineup includes butylene glycol to hydrate, as well as a variety of oils (safflower, linseed, and soybean) to nourish. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025

Spiked with an ultra-nourishing blend of ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, squalane, and nourishing oils (including safflower seed and tamanu), the surprisingly lightweight serum calms and brightens the skin without spurring irritation. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 8 Mar. 2025

Other seed oils such as corn, peanut, safflower and sunflower contain higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which are also necessary to maintain good health. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French saffleur, from Old Italian saffiore, from Arabic ʽaṣfar, ʽuṣfur

First Known Use

circa 1660, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing safflower

• safflower oil

Rhymes for safflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

: a widely grown Old World herb related to the daisies that has large orange or red flower heads that are the source of a dye and seeds rich in edible oil

Medical Definition

safflower

noun

saf·​flow·​er ˈsaf-ˌlau̇(-ə)r 

1

: a widely grown Old World composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) that has large orange or red flower heads from which a red dyestuff is prepared and seeds rich in oil

2

: a drug consisting of the dried florets of the safflower that has been used in medicine in place of saffron

called also carthamus