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 couple, who visited in late summer, spent an afternoon trekking through rhododendron tunnels and past a waterfall, topping out at a knob with valley views. —Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 30 Dec. 2024

One perk is that the bubbling stream provides the ideal ecosystem where hemlock and rhododendron thrive along the banks. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024

In 2024, the King and Queen released one featuring a relaxed picture of themselves taken by Millie Pilkington among the rhododendrons of the Buckingham Palace gardens. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Use a well-draining, acidic potting mix such as a commercial mix labelled for rhododendrons and azaleas or camellias. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 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"