anemone

noun

anem·​o·​ne ə-ˈne-mə-nē 

1

: any of a large genus (Anemone) of perennial herbs of the buttercup family having lobed or divided leaves and showy flowers without petals but with conspicuous sepals

called also windflower

2

: sea anemone

Examples of anemone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The title appears to be a metaphor suggesting that we’re destined to return to our familial relationships as frequently as the clownfish swims back into the tentacles of an anemone. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025

Japanese anemone are a cherry blossom-esque perennial that thrives in partial shade. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025

Beneath the surface, shimmering schools of bream glisten like silver confetti, and curious snorkelers drift past submerged, craggy rock ledges teeming with anemones and elusive octopus. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Underwater photos and videos show the bow is now home to various coral, anemones, basket stars and other marine creatures. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek anemōnē

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anemone

• rue anemone
• sea anemone
• wood anemone

Rhymes for anemone

• hegemony

Kids Definition

anemone

noun

anem·​o·​ne ə-ˈnem-ə-nē 

1

: any of a large genus of herbs related to the buttercups that have showy flowers

2

: sea anemone

Medical Definition

anemone

noun

anem·​o·​ne ə-ˈnem-ə-nē 

1

capitalized : a genus of herbs of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) widely distributed in temperate and subarctic regions that have lobed or divided leaves and showy flowers and that include some (as a pasqueflower) used medicinally especially formerly

2

: a plant or flower of the genus Anemone