magnolia

noun
mag·​no·​lia | \ mag-ˈnōl-yə How to pronounce magnolia (audio) \

Definition of magnolia

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This remarkable home at 10907 Pama Circle in the heart of Hunter’s Creek Village is on a private cul-de-sac street surrounded by magnolia trees and lush landscaping. Emilia Benton, Houston Chronicle, "Home with guesthouse available in Hunter’s Creek Village," 7 Sep. 2019 The curbside carrotwood, magnolia, jacaranda, liquid amber and podocarpus trees have not been stolen. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Whodunit? Case of the missing downtown San Diego trees," 9 Aug. 2019 Among its charms are the original prewar floors and wall moldings and the magnolia tree that blooms right outside the couple’s living room. Samantha Weiss Hills, Curbed, "15 bedroom decor ideas to steal now," 19 Aug. 2019 Nearly 2,000 new students at the University of Texas at Dallas walked through the heart of the campus and its main arteries -- marked by long stretches of fountains and aisles of magnolia trees -- on their way to Sunday’s welcoming convocation. María Méndez, Dallas News, "How UT Dallas evolved from a small research center into one of the fastest-growing universities in just 50 years," 18 Aug. 2019 One of the results of her investigations is the Magnolia kobus Janaki Ammal, a magnolia shrub with flowers of bright white petals and purple stamens. Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Pioneering Female Botanist Who Sweetened a Nation and Saved a Valley," 1 Aug. 2019 However, a most exciting thing happened in my yard recently: A mama mourning dove has made her nest in the magnolia tree in my back patio. Jane Napier Neely, La Cañada Valley Sun, "The Valley Line: Orthopaedic Guild members help mark a grand opening," 5 Aug. 2019 Her memory is preserved in the delicate white magnolias named after her, and a newly developed, yellow-petaled rose hybrid that now blooms in her name. Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Pioneering Female Botanist Who Sweetened a Nation and Saved a Valley," 1 Aug. 2019 Some townspeople felt bad and brought him a bouquet of magnolias in the hospital. Cian Maher, The Verge, "Welcome to Lower Duck Pond, a fake town of 82,000 people," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'magnolia.' 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 magnolia

1739, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for magnolia

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

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More Definitions for magnolia

magnolia

noun

English Language Learners Definition of magnolia

: a tree or tall bush that has white, pink, yellow, or purple flowers

magnolia

noun
mag·​no·​lia | \ mag-ˈnōl-yə How to pronounce magnolia (audio) \

Kids Definition of magnolia

: a tree or tall shrub having showy white, pink, yellow, or purple flowers that appear in early spring

magnolia

noun
mag·​no·​lia | \ mag-ˈnōl-yə How to pronounce magnolia (audio) \

Medical Definition of magnolia

1 capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine
2a : any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia
b : the dried bark of a magnolia

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