sepal
noun
se·pal ˈsē-pəl 
ˈse-
: one of the modified leaves comprising a calyx see flower illustration
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The sepals, which are pink, petal-like extensions of the flower, look like wings while the lip (or labellum) mimics the body of a bee. 
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2020 The flowers endure because the petals are in fact thick structures called sepals. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2020 The mullet dress, cast in a print of pink roses and green sepals, highlighted her signature glow, which was further accentuated by a matching minaudière by Tyler Ellis and heels by . Barry Samaha, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 Jan. 2020 But the sterile flowers each bear four large, showy, white sepals making an individual flower from 1/2-inch to 1-inch across. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2018 The inflorescence reaches 12 to 18 inches long, bearing colorful flowers with white lavender petals and orange sepals. Karen Dardick, sandiegouniontribune.com, 17 May 2018 Pick some yellow dandelion tops, remove the green sepal holding the flowers together, cover them with honey in a jar, label, and cap until the winter solstice on December 21 for a little summertime flower power. Christine Buckley, Bon Appetit, 12 June 2017 The hydrangeas which have large, showy sepals are called sterile flowers. NOLA.com, 19 May 2017 This compact grower produces large and wildly impressive blooms with double flowers (each flower has more than 20 showy sepals rather than the typical four!) that start out white and fade gradually to deep pink. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2017 See More
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2020 The flowers endure because the petals are in fact thick structures called sepals. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2020 The mullet dress, cast in a print of pink roses and green sepals, highlighted her signature glow, which was further accentuated by a matching minaudière by Tyler Ellis and heels by . Barry Samaha, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 Jan. 2020 But the sterile flowers each bear four large, showy, white sepals making an individual flower from 1/2-inch to 1-inch across. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2018 The inflorescence reaches 12 to 18 inches long, bearing colorful flowers with white lavender petals and orange sepals. Karen Dardick, sandiegouniontribune.com, 17 May 2018 Pick some yellow dandelion tops, remove the green sepal holding the flowers together, cover them with honey in a jar, label, and cap until the winter solstice on December 21 for a little summertime flower power. Christine Buckley, Bon Appetit, 12 June 2017 The hydrangeas which have large, showy sepals are called sterile flowers. NOLA.com, 19 May 2017 This compact grower produces large and wildly impressive blooms with double flowers (each flower has more than 20 showy sepals rather than the typical four!) that start out white and fade gradually to deep pink. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin sepalum, from sep- (irregular from Greek skepē covering) + -alum (as in petalum petal)
First Known Use
1821, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
sepal
noun
se·pal ˈsē-pəl
ˈse-
: one of the specialized leaves that form the calyx of a flower