rhododendron

noun
rho·​do·​den·​dron | \ ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən How to pronounce rhododendron (audio) \

Definition of rhododendron

: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea

Illustration of rhododendron

Illustration of rhododendron

Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crawfish Valley spread out below him, dense stands of poplars, oaks, white pines, and rhododendron thickets, the nearest overgrown service road miles away. Evan Allen, BostonGlobe.com, "The twisted, fatal journey of the accused Appalachian Trail killer," 25 May 2019 In this case, the pathogen was found in late May on rhododendron and lilac plants at some large chain retailers in Illinois. Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, "Sudden oak death pathogen found in Illinois, but don’t panic yet," 8 July 2019 Plant permanent landscape favorites, including cherries, crabapples, dogwoods, lilacs, rhododendrons, and roses. Thad Orr, Sunset, "Your Essential Gardening To-Do List for April," 22 Jan. 2018 Same thing with a pretty green plant with curly spikes of white that’s behind the rhododendron. Beverly Beckham, BostonGlobe.com, "Out back, a honeysuckle by any other name," 11 July 2019 Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina Why go now: Reader Liz Martin recommends a spring visit to western North Carolina, when rhododendrons blanket the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Kelly Barrett, National Geographic, "Flower power: 10 of the world's best destinations for blooms," 7 July 2019 Begin a steepening ascent through pastures skirting the Bionnassay Glacier and rhododendron fields to Col du Tricot. National Geographic, "Tour du Mont Blanc," 17 June 2019 The Kansas Department of Agriculture reported Friday that confirmed cases of the sudden oak death disease have been found in rhododendrons sold at 60 Walmarts in Kansas and one Home Depot in Pittsburg. USA TODAY, "Black Hills yaks, serious senioritis on campus, Pony Express: News from around our 50 states," 10 June 2019 His displays include dahlias, cannas, calla lilies, oriental lilies, day lilies, hydrangeas, climbing hydrangeas, rhododendrons, pink, white, purple, roses, peonies, rudbeckias, coneflowers, clematis, lupines and many others. courant.com, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 15 June 2019

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

1657, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rhododendron

New Latin, from Latin, oleander, from Greek, from rhod- + dendron tree — more at dendr-

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More Definitions for rhododendron

rhododendron

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rhododendron

: an evergreen bush that has large, bright flowers and that is often grown in gardens

rhododendron

noun
rho·​do·​den·​dron | \ ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən How to pronounce rhododendron (audio) \

Kids Definition of rhododendron

: a shrub with leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of flowers

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