cotyledon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cotyledon” mean?
The first leaf or one of the first pair of leaves produced by the embryo of a seed plant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The first leaf or one of the first pair of leaves produced by the embryo of a seed plant.
1. In botany, a seed leaf that stores food and often becomes photosynthetic after germination. 2. In anatomy, one of the lobules of the placenta.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in spelling, pronunciation, and usage between BrE and AmE. No regional variation in meaning or form.
Connotations
Pure scientific/technical term; no connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “cotyledon” in a Sentence
The seedling has [NUMERAL] cotyledon(s).The [PLANT TYPE] is classified by its cotyledons.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cotyledon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cotyledon stage is critical for early growth.
- It exhibited typical cotyledon morphology.
American English
- The cotyledon stage is crucial for early growth.
- It showed typical cotyledon structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botany, plant biology, and horticulture textbooks and research.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only among gardeners or in educational contexts.
Technical
Core term in plant taxonomy (e.g., dicots vs. monocots) and seed physiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cotyledon”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cotyledon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cotyledon”
- Misspelling: 'cotlyedon', 'cotiledon'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (/ˈkɒt.ɪ.lɪ.dən/).
- Using plural 'cotyledons' when referring to a monocot plant (which has one).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term used primarily in botany, biology, and gardening.
In some plants, like peas and beans, the cotyledons are the edible part (e.g., the pea itself or the bean).
Cotyledons are part of the seed embryo and are often simpler in shape. True leaves develop later from the shoot and have the species' characteristic form.
All seed plants (spermatophytes) have cotyledons. The number (one or two) is a major classification feature.
The first leaf or one of the first pair of leaves produced by the embryo of a seed plant.
Cotyledon is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cotyledon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒt.ɪˈliː.dən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.t̬əlˈiː.dən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COTy in a COT (baby bed) – a baby plant's first leaf.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COTYLEDON is a LUNCHBOX for the baby plant (stores food). A COTYLEDON is a PASSPORT (classifies the plant into a group).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a cotyledon?