cymbidium

noun

cym·​bid·​i·​um sim-ˈbi-dē-əm 

: any of a genus (Cymbidium) of tropical Old World epiphytic orchids with showy flowers

Examples of cymbidium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Feed your cymbidiums monthly until flower spikes appear in early spring. —Marin Independent Journal, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024

In Orange County’s Little Saigon, symbols of the celebration abound in shops and supermarkets: Colorful cymbidium orchids, twigs of bountiful blossoms, and li si, colorful red envelopes intended to be stuffed with money. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024

In addition to rows of ranunculus, there’s a rose garden, a cymbidium orchid greenhouse, and a labyrinth made of sweet peas (like a corn maze, but better smelling). —Amelia Mularz, Los Angeles Magazine, 10 Apr. 2018

The maids where given yellow cymbidium orchids to carry. —Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, 9 Feb. 2018

The guest card table vignette included tulips and cymbidium orchids. —John-John Williams Iv, baltimoresun.com, 12 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, borrowed from Greek kýmbē "cup, bowl, boat" (probably of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -idion, diminutive suffix

Note: The genus name was introduced by the Swedish botanist Olof Swartz (1760-1818) in "Dianome Epidendri Generis. Linn.," Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis, vol. 6 (1799), p. 70.

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above