sunflower

American  

[suhn-flou-er] / ˈsʌnˌflaʊ ər /

noun

1. any of various composite plants of the genus Helianthus, as H. annuus, having showy, yellow-rayed flower heads often 12 inches (30 centimeters) wide, and edible seeds that yield an oil with a wide variety of uses: the state flower of Kansas.

2. Also called aster.  Furniture. a conventionalized flower motif carved in the center panels of a Connecticut chest.

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sunflower British  

/ ˈsʌnˌflaʊə /

noun

1. any of several American plants of the genus Helianthus, esp H. annuus, having very tall thick stems, large flower heads with yellow rays, and seeds used as food, esp for poultry: family Asteraceae (composites) See also Jerusalem artichoke

2. the oil extracted from sunflower seeds, used as a salad oil, in the manufacture of margarine, etc

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Etymology

Origin of sunflower

First recorded in 1555–65; translation of Latin flōs sōlis “flower of the sun”

Example Sentences

Times Plants newsletter will receive Jeanette’s Mix, a special packet of colorful sunflower seeds and California poppies that Marantos hoped to offer this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Last year an attack on the nearby port of Pivdennyi hit a sunflower oil storage tank, polluting the Black Sea coast.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

The values recorded in sunflower flour breads were much higher than those seen in bread made entirely from wheat flour.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

Price gains for palm, soy, and sunflower oils—driven by seasonal supply slowdowns, tight export availability, and strong demand—more than offset a decline in rapeseed oil prices due to ample EU supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

One of the sunflower seeds hopped across the slate tiles of the front walk.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly