magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Four-Star Hotels The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans Step into the grand lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, and you’ll be greeted by the intoxicating aroma of Southern magnolia, the hotel’s signature scent. —Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Inspired by the local magnolia flower, a nod to Chengdu’s vibrant culture, a chandelier by artist Andreea Braescu illuminates the space. —Thomas Waller, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025

Broadleaf evergreens like holly, magnolia, and boxwood might have been coated with an anti-desiccant product like Wilt-Pruf to keep them looking fresh for longer. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025

The mythical Lydia makes a much better magnolia blossom, closer to the ideal than a real Southern woman could ever be. —Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring

Medical Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

1

capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine

2

a

: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia

b

: the dried bark of a magnolia