frond

[ frond ]

noun

, Botany.

1. an often large, finely divided leaf, especially as applied to the ferns and certain palms.
2. a leaflike expansion not differentiated into stem and foliage, as in lichens.

frond

/ frɒnd /

noun

1. a large compound leaf, esp of a fern
2. the thallus of a seaweed or a lichen

frond

/ frŏnd /

1. A leaf of a fern or cycad, usually consisting of multiple leaflets.
2. A large, fanlike leaf of a palm tree.
3. A leaflike structure such as the thallus of a lichen or a seaweed.

Derived Forms

• ˈfronded, adjective
• ˈfrondless, adjective

Other Words From

• fronded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frond¹

1745–55; < Latin frond- (stem of frōns ) branch, bough, foliage

Word History and Origins

Origin of frond¹

C18: from Latin frōns

Example Sentences

You could probably get away with giving this gift to both the plant lover on your list and/or that special someone who genuinely fears the forbidden frond.

From Los Angeles Times

This means each frond is a major investment of resources that the plant repurposes after the leaf dies.

From Science Daily

Still, Sukkot is a joyous occasion, one that is centered on four plant species: the myrtle, willow, citron and date palm, whose frond is known as the lulav.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to ecology, it’s always about balances—a simple truth that applies as much to the interactions between plankton species floating on a frond of algae as it does to the paths of miles-wide bands of seaweed drifting around the Atlantic Ocean.

From Slate

I didn’t see it, but somebody told me Jim Cantore did get hit with a palm frond during part of his coverage.

From Slate

Related Words

• needle
• petal
• stalk