# apical

/ˈæpɪkəɫ/ (US) · /ˈæpɪkəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apical
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

relating to the tip or top of something, especially the top of a plant's stem or leaf. You use this to describe the part that is farthest from the base.

For teachers: relating to the apex or tip of an organ or structure. In botany, it specifically describes the region at the tip of a shoot or the top of a leaf.

## Examples

- The apical meristem is responsible for the plant's growth.
- The gardener noticed that the apical buds were growing faster than the side branches.
- In many plants, the apical dominance ensures that the main stem grows upward while the lateral buds remain suppressed until the primary growth slows.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.