moss pink

noun

: a low-growing perennial phlox (Phlox subulata) widely cultivated for its abundant usually pink or white flowers

Examples of moss pink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The pink moon is named after the phlox subulata flower, also known as moss pink or moss phlox, which blooms in North America during the springtime. Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2024 The full moon in April is known as the pink moon, named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox or mountain phlox. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024 The moon will not turn pink or even look pink; instead, the moniker comes from a ground-covering plant, moss pink, that’s among the earliest bloomers in the spring. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024 Spectacular blue, red, pink, or white blooms smother moss pink's needle-like foliage in spring. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024 Named for the moss pink wildflower that sprouts this time of year, the moon won't appear as pink to our eyes here on Earth. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024 April 23: The appearance of the moss pink wildflower gives rise to the full pink moon. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 The pink moon is named after the herb moss pink, according to Maine Farmers' Almanac. Julia Musto, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2023 In particular, the pink moon gets its name from a hot pink wildflower, Phlox subulata, that grows in a thick mat of vibrant foliage, commonly referred to as creeping phlox, moss phlox or moss pink. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moss pink was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near moss pink

Cite this Entry

“Moss pink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moss%20pink. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on moss pink

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!