frond

noun

ˈfränd How to pronounce frond (audio)
1
: a large leaf (especially of a palm or fern) usually with many divisions
2
: a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed) resembling a leaf
fronded
ˈfrän-dəd How to pronounce frond (audio)
adjective

Examples of frond 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.
The Sea to Soul treatment, for example, uses soothing Pacific seaweed fronds, warm kelp water, and a green tea seaweed salt glow exfoliation to target muscle tension and a glacial clay mask to firm the skin. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Then, cut the fronds down near the fern’s base with sharp, clean pruners. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026 Cellphone camera footage broadcast by CBS Los Angeles shows the snake on a beach at night and someone trying to use what appears to be the base of a palm frond to pick it up and toss it back into the water. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frond

Word History

Etymology

Latin frond-, frons foliage

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frond was in 1785

Rhymes for frond

See All Rhymes for frond

Browse Nearby Words

from zero
frond
frondage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frond. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

frond

noun
ˈfränd How to pronounce frond (audio)
: a large leaf especially of a fern or palm tree that often has many divisions

More from Merriam-Webster on frond

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frond

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All