Gymnosperm: meaning, definitions and examples

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gymnosperm

 

[ ˈdʒɪmnoʊˌspɜrm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

botany science

Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, and ginkgo. Unlike angiosperms, gymnosperms have seeds that are not enclosed within an ovary or fruit. They typically possess needle-like leaves and reproduce using cones.

Synonyms

conifer, evergreen, softwood

Examples of usage

  • The pine tree is a type of gymnosperm.
  • Gymnosperms often dominate in colder climates.
  • Studies show that gymnosperms can survive harsh conditions.

Translations

Translations of the word "gymnosperm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gimnosperma

🇮🇳 जिम्नोस्पर्म

🇩🇪 Nacktsamer

🇮🇩 gymnosperma

🇺🇦 голосеменний

🇵🇱 nagonasienne

🇯🇵 裸子植物 (らししょくぶつ)

🇫🇷 gymnosperme

🇪🇸 gimnosperma

🇹🇷 tohumlu bitki

🇰🇷 겉씨식물

🇸🇦 عاريات البذور

🇨🇿 nahosemenné rostliny

🇸🇰 nahosemenné rastliny

🇨🇳 裸子植物

🇸🇮 golosemenke

🇮🇸 berfiskur

🇰🇿 жалаң тұқымды

🇬🇪 იშვიათი მცენარეები

🇦🇿 naked seed bitkiləri

🇲🇽 gimnosperma

Word origin

The word 'gymnosperm' is derived from the Greek words 'gymnos' meaning 'naked' and 'sperma' meaning 'seed', referring to the fact that the seeds of these plants are not enclosed within a fruit. The term has been used in the scientific community since the mid-19th century, although the study of plants that fit this classification goes back much further. The classification falls under the larger category of seed plants and has been essential in understanding plant evolution. Gymnosperms are one of the earliest forms of seed plants, believed to have first appeared over 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. Their study has also contributed to knowledge regarding global climate change and the ecology of various environments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,916, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.