chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kri-ˈsan(t)-thə-məm 

 also  -ˈzan(t)-

1

: any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

Illustration of chrysanthemum

• chrysanthemum 2

Examples of chrysanthemum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From the church’s dome hung garlands of flowers, lilies, roses, and chrysanthemums, which stretched all the way to the organ alcove, which was covered in climbing vines. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 July 2025

Treat outdoor clothing with permethrin, a chemical similar to chrysanthemum extracts that stops ticks from biting. —Pien Huang, NPR, 23 June 2025

The garden will replace delphiniums and carnations on display in the conservatory in late spring with begonias and zinnias in the summer, and chrysanthemums and asters in the fall. —Jane L. Levere, New York Times, 20 May 2025

On the windy deck of the boat, a girl’s long blond hair is tossed into the shape of a wild chrysanthemum. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 10 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin chrȳsanthemon, chrȳsanthemum "a yellow-flowered composite plant," borrowed from Greek chrȳsánthemon "any of various plants with bright yellow flowers," from chrȳsós "gold" + ánthemon "blossom, flower" — more at chryso-, anthemion

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kris-ˈan(t)-thə-məm 

1

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the daisies and include weeds, ornamental plants grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of substances used in medicine and as insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum