willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō 

1

: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals

2

: an object made of willow wood

especially : a cricket bat

willowlike

ˈwi-lō-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of willow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The white willow bark and papaya extract gently slough off dead cells to reveal glowy, hydrated skin underneath, while shea butter reinforces the skin’s natural barrier and squalane delivers immediate and long-lasting moisture. —Kelsey Eisen, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024

Time Out!: 5 Great USA Getaways Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes Ursa Major’s 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic is made with superfood-sounding ingredients, like radish root ferment, rosemary, and willow bark extract. —Abigail Wise, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024

An early test could differentiate between recordings of alder flycatchers and willow flycatchers. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024

Her late husband worked in the bureau’s maintenance building across from the irrigation shop and wore a uniform that reeked of chemicals after spraying willow trees and cleaning oil wells. —Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willow

• weeping willow
• willow herb

Kids Definition

willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwil-ō 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals

willowlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective