carnation

noun

car·​na·​tion kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a plant of any of numerous often cultivated and usually double-flowered varieties or subspecies of an Old World pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) found in many color variations

2

: a moderate red

3

archaic : the variable color of human flesh

Examples of carnation in a Sentence

The groom wore a carnation in his buttonhole.

Recent Examples on the Web

Marigold floral garlands; roses in red, pink, and white; carnations; and mums are scattered across the dining table and altar. —Prinita Thevarajah, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Between perched bouquets of red carnations and roses (references to the designer’s work) and fragrant Byredo candles, guests celebrated Chavarria’s prolific impact – a culmination of years of worldbuilding around notions of evolving masculinity and contemporary Chicano identity. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024

For the first time, researchers recently used such a drone to discover and describe a new species of carnation hanging off of towering vertical cliffs in Hawaii. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Oct. 2024

The collection highlighted a few botanical inspirations, with poppies, carnations and ferns throughout. —Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian carnagione, from carne flesh, from Latin carn-, caro

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

carnation

noun

car·​na·​tion kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a moderate red

2

: any of the numerous cultivated herbs of the genus of pinks with reddish, pink, yellow, or white usually double flowers