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gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs 
plural gladioli
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-(ˌ)lē
-ˌlī
-ˌlī
1
or plural gladiolus also gladioluses
: any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms
2
: the large middle portion of the sternum
Examples of gladiolus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Long and upright leaf blades give gladiolus the common name sword lily.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
In the mid-1960s, Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where poinsettias had been growing.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
This includes tender perennials like dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, agapanthus, and elephant ears.
Plants in Fluctuating Temperatures
In regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, especially in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8, soil can shift and expose roots to damage.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Growers in chilly climates need to dig up tender bulbs, like dahlias, gladiolus, and ranunculus, in fall and overwinter the bulbs indoors to keep these plants safe from severe cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
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Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
In the mid-1960s, Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where poinsettias had been growing.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
This includes tender perennials like dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, agapanthus, and elephant ears.
Plants in Fluctuating Temperatures
In regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, especially in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8, soil can shift and expose roots to damage.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Growers in chilly climates need to dig up tender bulbs, like dahlias, gladiolus, and ranunculus, in fall and overwinter the bulbs indoors to keep these plants safe from severe cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gladiolus
Articles Related to gladiolus
Cite this Entry
“Gladiolus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiolus. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs
plural gladioli
-ˈō-(ˌ)lē
-ˈō-ˌlī
or gladiolus also gladioluses
: any of a genus of chiefly African plants related to the irises and having erect sword-shaped leaves and stalks of brilliantly colored flowers
Etymology
from Latin gladiolus, literally, "little sword," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiator
Medical Definition
gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs
: the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process
called also mesosternum
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