noun
anther
AN-thər
Anther (noun) means the part of a flower's stamen that produces and holds pollen. Example: “Pollen grains burst from the anther as the flower matured.”
noun
1
botany The part of a flower's stamen that produces and holds pollen.
"Pollen grains burst from the anther as the flower matured."
"The bee brushed against the anther and came away dusted with pollen."
"Botanists examined the anther under a microscope to identify the species."
How to use anther
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe anther is the bit of a flower's stamen that carries the pollen.
When to use it
Anther is a technical botanical term rather than everyday vocabulary.
Memory tip
Watch the spelling next to antler, an unrelated word for a deer's horn, since the two are easy to mix up on the page.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pollen from the anther
the anther and filament
anther dehiscence
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Pollen grains burst from the _____ as the flower matured.
Etymology
The word comes from French anthère, which traces back to Ancient Greek anthērós, meaning flowery or blooming, itself derived from ánthos, meaning flower.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for anther
See all rhymes for anther →Frequently asked questions
What is an anther?
An anther is the pollen-bearing part of a flower's stamen.
Where does the word anther come from?
It comes from French anthère, ultimately from an Ancient Greek word meaning flowery or blooming, related to ánthos, meaning flower.
Is the anther the whole stamen?
No, the anther is just the pollen-bearing part of the stamen, not the entire structure.
What is the meaning of anther?
"anther" (noun) means the part of a flower's stamen that produces and holds pollen.
