1. having feathers or resembling a feather in structure
Usage: biology; technical
2. having parts arranged on opposite sides of a central axis like the barbs of a feather
Usage: biology; botany

Examples

• The pennate leaves of the ash tree are arranged in pairs along the stem.
• Pennate diatoms have elongated, feather-like shapes under the microscope.
• The bird’s pennate wing structure allows for efficient flight.
• Botanists classify this as a pennate compound leaf pattern.
• The pennate arrangement of the fern fronds creates a delicate appearance.
• Marine biologists study pennate algae in coastal waters.