1 arum | Definition of arum

arum

noun
ar·​um | \ ˈa-rÉ™m How to pronounce arum (audio) , ˈer-É™m\

Definition of arum

: any of a genus (Arum of the family Araceae, the arum family) of Eurasian plants having usually arrow-shaped leaves and a showy spathe partially enclosing a spadix broadly : a plant of the arum family

Examples of arum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another big category to keep your pets from gnawing is aroids (aka arums), the group of plants including philodendrons, pothos, peace lily (Spathiphyllum), arrowhead plants (Syngonium), elephant ear (Caladium), Dieffenbachia and others. Kenneth Setzer, miamiherald, "Some of South Florida's most popular plants may be toxic to pets," 14 June 2018 This arum thrives in partial shade or sun, so would be ideal with hostas in a partly-shaded bed. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017 Java is one of two corpse flowers, or titan arums, that have been on display in the garden's greenhouse since May 17 in a state of near bloom. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Java the corpse flower blooms, stinks, at Chicago Botanic Garden," 31 May 2017 For the fourth time in less than two years, the Garden is awaiting the putrid bloom of the titan arum – two plants named Java and Sumatra, after islands in their native Indonesia, that are now in their bloom cycle and could soon open. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Botanic Garden waits, watches for dual corpse flower bloom," 23 May 2017 Fall through winter, into early spring, a pleasant surprise in the ornamental garden is Italian arum, with its bold green leaves above the whiteness of new snow or drab colors of dormant vegetation. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017 This is the fourth time in less than two years the garden has drawn lines of visitors eager to see the rare bloom of a titan arum. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Java the corpse flower blooms, stinks, at Chicago Botanic Garden," 31 May 2017 Arum italicum is often planted with hostas, since hosta foliage fades away about the time of year that the arum is stretching its new leaves. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of arum

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for arum

New Latin, from Latin arum, from Greek aron

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More from Merriam-Webster on arum

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with arum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arum