chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kri-ˈsan(t)-thə-məm 

 also  -ˈzan(t)-

1

: any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

Illustration of chrysanthemum

• chrysanthemum 2

Examples of chrysanthemum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chrysanthemum also represents those born in November. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

The chrysanthemum has gotten a bad rap in this country, or at least in the gardening sector of this country. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024

To mark the opening of the exhibition, the Paris museum’s entrance was decorated with a colorful arrangement incorporating sunflowers and chrysanthemums by florist Baptiste Pitou, who was in charge of the ornate backdrops for Saint Laurent’s runway shows. —Joelle Diderich, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024

Marigolds, daffodils, and chrysanthemums are a few of the most popular. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin chrȳsanthemon, chrȳsanthemum "a yellow-flowered composite plant," borrowed from Greek chrȳsánthemon "any of various plants with bright yellow flowers," from chrȳsós "gold" + ánthemon "blossom, flower" — more at chryso-, anthemion

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kris-ˈan(t)-thə-məm 

1

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the daisies and include weeds, ornamental plants grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of substances used in medicine and as insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum