noun
- a stiff bristle-like appendage found on grass seeds and grains
Usage: botanical
Examples
- The barley grains had long awns that made them difficult to handle.
- Wheat varieties with awns are often more resistant to birds.
- The awn helps the seed burrow into the soil.
- Some grasses have awns that can irritate livestock.
- The botanist examined the awn under a microscope.
- Wild oats are easily identified by their twisted awns.