dioecious

1 of 2

adjective

di·​oe·​cious (ˌ)dī-ˈē-shəs How to pronounce dioecious (audio)
1
: having male reproductive organs in one individual and female in another
2
: having staminate and pistillate flowers borne on different individuals
dioecism
(ˌ)dī-ˈē-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce dioecious (audio)
noun
dioecy
ˈdī-ˌē-sē How to pronounce dioecious (audio)
noun

dioecy

2 of 2

noun

di·​oe·​cy ˈdīˌēsē How to pronounce dioecy (audio)
plural -es
: dioecism

Examples of dioecious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Date palms are dioecious, meaning that trees are either male or female — females are treated with pollen from the male plants. — Christian Reynoso, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2021 Nutmegs are dioecious, meaning that the plants are separately male and female. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 16 Aug. 2025 However, this species of fig is strictly dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025 In the manner of dioecious plants generally — from pistachio trees to date palms — jojoba is wind-pollinated. — Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024 The cottonwood, widespread and native to North America, is dioecious — meaning each tree is either male or female. — Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025 But the general behavioral point is rooted in realities of anatomy and life-history; in many dioecious species males and females exhibit a great deal of biological and behavioral dimorphism. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2010 Holly varieties are generally dioecious, meaning the female plants have the fruit and benefit from having male plants pollinate them, says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin Dioecia, class name (from Greek di- di- + oîkos "house, home" + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1) + -ous — more at vicinity

Note: The class name Dioecia was introduced by linnaeus in his Systema naturae (Leiden, 1735).

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary dioec- (from New Latin Dioecia) + -y

First Known Use

Adjective

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dioecious was in 1752

Rhymes for dioecious

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Browse Nearby Words

dioecio-
dioecious
dioecism
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Cite this Entry

“Dioecious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioecious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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