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Definition of flaxseed
flaxseed
/ˈflæk.siːd/
flax · seed
Plural:flaxseeds
flaxseed Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
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Scrabble US
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The small, flat, oval seed of the flax plant, widely consumed whole, ground, or as an oil for its high content of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Example
"She sprinkled a tablespoon of ground flaxseed over her morning oatmeal to add a boost of nutrition."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for flaxseedWord Nuance & Usage
While 'flaxseed' and 'linseed' refer to the exact same seed, 'flaxseed' is typically used in North America when describing human food and dietary supplements, whereas 'linseed' is often reserved for industrial applications like paint binders and animal feed.
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of the Old English words 'fleax' (flax) and 'sǣd' (seed), referring directly to the reproductive unit of the Linum usitatissimum plant.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Flaxseed. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/flaxseed