sunflower

noun

sun·​flow·​er ˈsən-ˌflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce sunflower (audio)
: any of a genus (Helianthus, especially H. annuus) of New World composite plants with large yellow-rayed flower heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil

Examples of sunflower 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.
In terms of actual whole foods, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and chard also have a high vitamin E content and are therefore among the best foods to eat for eye health. Maria Berentzen, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024 From January to October, the vegetable oils category had the largest price spike, jumping 24% on the back of higher prices for palm, soy, sunflower, and rapeseed oils. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 An all-star moisturizing ingredient lineup of panthenol, sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides, and macadamia nut oil cocoon skin with the toner’s silky lotion-like formula to make skin feel as soft as a baby’s, Abelman says. Sarah Han, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024 In this mural, there’s a bright blue sky, a monarch butterfly on a sunflower, a child on a swing, another on a computer, a family out for a walk and a depiction of the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sunflower 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunflower was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near sunflower

Cite this Entry

“Sunflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunflower. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sunflower

noun
sun·​flow·​er -ˌflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce sunflower (audio)
: any of a genus of tall herbs that are often grown for their large showy flower heads with yellow ray flowers and for their oil-rich seeds

More from Merriam-Webster on sunflower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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