Dioecious

Alternative forms

• diÅ“cious

Origin

- + oecious + -

Full definition of dioecious

Adjective

1. (botany) Having the male and female reproductive organs on separate plants (of the same species) rather than different parts of the same plant.
2. (zoology, rare) Having two distinct sexes.

Usage notes

This term is mainly used of species in the plant kingdom. The corresponding term in zoology is gonochoristic.

Related terms

• dioecism
• dioecy

Antonyms

• monoecious
• synoecious