jack-in-the-pulpit

noun

jack-in-the-pul·​pit ˌjak-ən-t͟hə-ˈpu̇l-ˌpit How to pronounce jack-in-the-pulpit (audio)
-pət,
 also  -ˈpəl-
plural jack-in-the-pulpits also jacks-in-the-pulpit
: a North American spring-flowering woodland herb (Arisaema triphyllum synonym A. atrorubens) of the arum family having an upright club-shaped spadix arched over by a green and purple spathe

Illustration of jack-in-the-pulpit

Illustration of jack-in-the-pulpit

Examples of jack-in-the-pulpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One example slated for the garden is the jack-in-the-pulpit, a plant with green and maroon striped flowers and red berries. Alyson Krueger, New York Times, 1 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jack-in-the-pulpit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jack-in-the-pulpit was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near jack-in-the-pulpit

Cite this Entry

“Jack-in-the-pulpit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jack-in-the-pulpit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jack-in-the-pulpit

noun
jack-in-the-pul·​pit
ˌjak-ən-t͟hə-ˈpu̇l-ˌpit
plural jack-in-the-pulpits also jacks-in-the-pulpit
: a North American spring-flowering herb that grows in moist shady places and bears an upright club-shaped flower cluster over which arches a green and purple bract like a hood

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