lotus

noun

lo·​tus ˈlō-təs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
plural lotuses also lotus
1
or less commonly lotos : a fruit eaten by the lotus-eaters and considered to cause indolence and dreamy contentment
also : a tree (such as Zizyphus lotus of the buckthorn family) reputed to bear this fruit
2
: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art and religious symbolism
3
[New Latin, from Latin]
a
: any of a genus (Lotus) of widely distributed upright herbs or subshrubs of the legume family

Illustration of lotus

Illustration of lotus
  • lotus 2

Examples of lotus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like the Lotus in the muck, a Buddhist metaphor, the mud is necessary for survival, but the lotus can still transform into something beautiful. Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024 In the lunar calendar, late September typically marks both the end of the harvest and the rise of the supermoon, when the moon is closest to Earth: the perfect time to reflect on nature’s bounty by translating the harvest of summer crops, like lotus seeds and red beans, into a portable form. Ingu Chen, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024 The lineup included references to the lotus and peacocks, while his larger-than-life designs, the Anarkali style that characterized him and his pride and focus on his Kashmiri heritage will continue to be reminders. Mayu Saini, WWD, 3 Nov. 2024 The pastry case in the morning had baby mooncakes ready to go in flavors of lotus ($2.95 each) and red bean paste ($2.50 each). Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lotus 

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin lotus, from Greek lōtos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lotus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lotus

Cite this Entry

“Lotus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lotus. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

lotus

noun
lo·​tus ˈlōt-əs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art

More from Merriam-Webster on lotus

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