rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet How to pronounce rosette (audio)
1
: an ornament usually made of material gathered or pleated so as to resemble a rose and worn as a badge of office, as evidence of having won a decoration (such as the Medal of Honor), or as trimming
2
: a disk of foliage or a floral design usually in relief used as a decorative motif
3
: a structure or color marking on an animal suggestive of a rosette
especially : one of the groups of spots on a leopard
4
: a cluster of leaves in crowded circles or spirals arising basally from a crown (as in the dandelion) or apically from an axis with greatly shortened internodes (as in many tropical palms)
5
: a food decoration or garnish in the shape of a rose
icing rosettes
carrot rosettes

Illustration of rosette

Illustration of rosette
  • rosette 2

Examples of rosette in a Sentence

a rosette of chocolate frosting Rosettes are carved in the base of the statue.
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 halter dress featured a cutout on the torso beneath a rosette appliqué and included a thigh-high slit. Julia Teti, WWD, 4 Sep. 2024 Hilton embraced romance with a beaded rosette frock by Oscar de la Renta, while Richie opted for a vampier leather gown by Proenza Schouler, complete with an open back. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024 Rihanna wore a massive white Maison Valentino gown with a long, sweeping train and matching cape covered in textured rosettes. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Rihanna wore dramatic white Maison Valentino gown with a long, sweeping train and matching cape covered in rosettes. Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rosette 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Old French rosete, rosette "small rose, object shaped like a rose," from rose rose entry 2 + -ete, -ette -ette

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rosette was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near rosette

Cite this Entry

“Rosette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rosette. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rosette

noun
ro·​sette rō-ˈzet How to pronounce rosette (audio)
1
: a badge or ornament of ribbon gathered in the shape of a rose
2
: a design of leaves or flowers used as a decoration
3
: a circular cluster of leaves developed on a plant (as at the base of a dandelion)

Medical Definition

rosette

noun
ro·​sette rō-ˈzet How to pronounce rosette (audio)
: a rose-shaped cluster of cells

More from Merriam-Webster on rosette

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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