rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers

especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea

Illustration of rhododendron

Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rhododendrons were bursting with life and the marble statues were as glittering and glorious as ever. —Katy Kelleher, Outside Online, 27 June 2024

The open, rocky mountain terrain had been softened by rhododendron bushes and an icy blue stream, covered in some places by rolling fog. —Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024

Often, my father would go on about the wildlife in the park: the chestnut and elm trees around the perimeter, hyacinths, daffodils, rhododendrons. —Nicolaia Rips, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024

Zinnias and tomatoes are from South America, bluegrass lawns and lilacs hail from Europe and rhododendrons from Asia. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (linnaeus), going back to Latin, "oleander, a plant of the Black Sea region described by Pliny whose honey is toxic (probably Rhododendron ponticum)," borrowed from Greek rhodódendron, from rhodo- rhodo- + déndron "tree" — more at dendro-

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rhododendron

• elepidote rhododendron
• lepidote rhododendron
• rosebay rhododendron

Kids Definition

rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrōd-ə-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs of the heath family that often have leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of yellow, white, pink, red, or purple flowers

Etymology

from scientific Latin rhododendron "rhododendron," derived from Greek rhodon "rose" and Greek dendron "tree"