ˈflaʊə(r)
ˈflaʊər
1 the coloured part of a plant from which the seed or fruit develops. Flowers usually grow at the end of a stem and last only a short timeThe plant has a beautiful bright red flower.The roses are in flower early this year.The crocuses are late coming into flower.2 a plant grown for the beauty of its flowersa garden full of flowersa flower garden/show3 a flower with its stem that has been picked as a decorationI picked some flowers.a bunch of flowersa flower arrangement see also bouquetIdioms
the flower of something
(literary) the finest or best part of somethingThey were cut down in the flower of their youth.
Usage note: The living worldAnimalsanimals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on something)fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)birds fly/migrate/nest/singinsects crawl/fly/bite/stinginsects/bees/locusts swarmbees collect/gather nectar/pollenspiders spin/weave a websnakes/lizards shed their skinsbears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernateinsect larvae grow/develop/pupatean egg/a chick/a larva hatchesattract/find/choose a mateproduce/release eggs/spermlay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggsinhabit a forest/a reef/the coastmark/enter/defend (a) territorystalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill preyPlants and fungitrees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flowera seed germinates/sproutsleaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/formflower buds swell/opena fungus grows/spreads/colonizes somethingpollinate/fertilize a flower/plantproduce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/sporesproduce/bear fruitdevelop/grow/form roots/shoots/leavesprovide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrientsperform/increase/reduce photosynthesisBacteria and virusesbacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiplybacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on somethingbacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize something/cause diseasebacteria break something down/convert something (into something)a virus enters/invades something/the bodya virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteriacontain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a viruskill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria