apical dominance


noun Botany.

suppression of the development of lateral buds in a growing plant shoot, caused by hormones produced in the tip of the shoot.

Origin of apical dominance

First recorded in 1945–50

Scientific definitions for apical dominance

apical dominance
[ āpĭ-kəl, ăpĭ- ]

Inhibition of the growth of lateral buds by the terminal bud of a plant shoot. In most plants, apical dominance results from the release of auxin by the apical meristem.