panicle

noun

pan·​i·​cle ˈpa-ni-kəl How to pronounce panicle (audio)
1
: a compound racemose inflorescence see inflorescence illustration
2
: a pyramidal loosely branched flower cluster
panicled
ˈpa-ni-kəld How to pronounce panicle (audio)
adjective
paniculate
pa-ˈni-kyə-lət How to pronounce panicle (audio)
pə-
adjective

Examples of panicle 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.
In fall, the panicles dry on the plant and can be a source of interest even in the gray winter. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026 Some hydrangeas, namely smooth and panicle hydrangeas, can be pruned in early spring before new growth starts. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 29 May 2026 In late summer, the flower panicles rise above the low foliage, creating waves of purple clouds floating above the plant. — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026 Perfect for cutting and drying, the showy flower heads consist of white flowers packed onto pyramidal panicles. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for panicle

Word History

Etymology

Latin panicula, diminutive of panus

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of panicle was in 1577

Rhymes for panicle

See All Rhymes for panicle

Browse Nearby Words

panicky
panicle
panic party
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Panicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panicle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

panicle

noun
pan·​i·​cle ˈpan-i-kəl How to pronounce panicle (audio)
: a branched flower cluster (as of a lilac or some grasses) in which each branch from the main stem has one or more flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on panicle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about panicle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All