1. A large group of flowering plants characterized by having a single cotyledon (seed leaf) and typically parallel leaf veins, including grasses, lilies, orchids, and palms.
Usage: plural form; singular is monocotyledon; also called monocots; botanical/scientific term

Examples

• Grasses and corn are examples of monocotyledons.
• Monocotyledons make up about one-quarter of all flowering plant species.
• The leaves of most monocotyledons have parallel veins running lengthwise.
• Orchids and tulips are monocotyledons prized for their flowers.
• Unlike dicots, monocotyledons typically have flower parts in multiples of three.
• Rice, wheat, and barley are important food crops that are monocotyledons.