cypress

1 of 2

noun (1)

cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

1

a(1)

: any of a genus (Cupressus of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling scales

(2)

: any of several coniferous trees of the cypress family or the bald cypress family

especially : bald cypress sense 1

b

: the wood of a cypress tree

2

: branches of cypress used as a symbol of mourning

cypress

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a silk or cotton usually black gauze formerly used for mourning

Examples of cypress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This serene lake, filled with water lilies and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, is part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve—a thriving ecosystem that supports thousands of nesting birds each spring. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025

The winds were howling violently by then; the cypress trees on our front law bending practically horizontal in the gusts. —Lesley M. M. Blume, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025

Mussel of the Alabama Undersea Forest A researcher from Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center discovered a new species of mussel that dwells in an ancient underwater cypress grove in Alabama. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024

What also strikes visitors is the lushness of these slopes, an endless emerald expanse studded with eucalyptus, cypress, and palm trees in every direction. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cipres, from Anglo-French ciprès, from Latin cyparissus, from Greek kyparissos

Noun (2)

Middle English ciprus, cipres, from Cyprus, Mediterranean island

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cypress

• bald cypress
• cypress vine
• Monterey cypress
• summer cypress

Kids Definition

cypress

noun

cy·​press

ˈsī-prəs

1

: any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs that are related to the pines and have overlapping scalelike leaves

2

: bald cypress

3

: the wood of a cypress tree

Geographical Definition

Cypress

geographical name

Cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 47,802