monoecious

adjective

mon·​oe·​cious mə-ˈnē-shəs How to pronounce monoecious (audio)
mä-
variants or less commonly monecious
1
: having pistillate and staminate flowers on the same plant
2
: having male and female sex organs in the same individual : hermaphroditic

Examples of monoecious 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.
Most squash are monoecious which means male and female flowers are produced on the same plant. — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2024 Most plant species are monoecious, meaning a single plant has both male and female parts. — Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 12 July 2022 Zucchini and summer squash are monoecious plants, which means that a single plant produces both male and female flowers. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2025 For every female flower grown on a monoecious cucumber plant, 10 to 20 male flowers will grow. — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026 Many select and heirloom varieties, however, are monoecious, meaning there are separate male and female flowers on each plant and the females must be pollinated to get a crop. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025 Gynoecious varieties, which produce only female flowers, need to be grown alongside a pollinator variety, typically a monoecious type that has both male and female flowers. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek mon- + oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of monoecious was in 1761

Rhymes for monoecious

See All Rhymes for monoecious

Browse Nearby Words

Monoecia
monoecious
monoecism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

monoecious

adjective
mon·​oe·​cious mə-ˈnē-shəs How to pronounce monoecious (audio)
(ˈ)mä-
: having on the same plant flowers with stamens only and flowers with pistils only

Medical Definition

monoecious

adjective
mo·​noe·​cious
variants also monecious
mə-ˈnē-shəs, (ˈ)mä- How to pronounce monoecious (audio)
: having male and female sex organs in the same individual
monoeciously adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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