citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs How to pronounce citrus (audio)
plural citrus or citruses
often attributive
: any of a group of often thorny trees and shrubs (Citrus and related genera) of the rue family grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (such as the orange or lemon) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh
also : the fruit
citrusy adjective

Examples of citrus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Picture entire neighborhoods that were just patches of empty desert, citrus trees lining the Black Canyon Freeway and a downtown without a booming food scene. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 This is a great single grain whiskey, with notes of vanilla and citrus mingling with berry, tropical fruit, caramel, and nut flavors. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 As an alternative, older kids (6 years and up) can try Zyrtec Children's 24 HR Dissolving Allergy Relief Tablets, which have a citrus flavor and dissolve under the tongue. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024 In the early aughts, the unique citrus fruit featured prominently in chef Craig Stoll’s Meyer Lemon Budino at San Francisco institution Delfina and pastry chef Karen Demasco’s Meyer Lemon Shortcakes With Meyer Lemon Curd at Locanda Verde in NYC. Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024 The bright citrus and herbaceous flavor of Sotol lends itself perfectly to cocktails. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Mountains of citrus reached toward the sky at the Ken’s Top Notch stand at the Hollywood Farmers Market last weekend. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Occupation: Fourth-generation citrus and cattle farmer. The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Hello's line of shea butter deodorants is available in several fragrances, including coconut, sage and eucalyptus, peach, and citrus. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 22 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of citrus was in 1781

Dictionary Entries Near citrus

Cite this Entry

“Citrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citrus. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

citrus

noun
cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs How to pronounce citrus (audio)
plural citrus or citruses
: any of a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs (as the orange, grapefruit, or lemon) grown in warm regions for their fruits
also : the fruit of a citrus
citrus adjective

Medical Definition

citrus

noun
cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs How to pronounce citrus (audio)
often attributive
1
capitalized : a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs of the rue family (Rutaceae) grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (as the orange, lemon, lime, or mandarin) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh
2
plural citruses or citrus : any plant or fruit of the genus Citrus or a related genus

More from Merriam-Webster on citrus

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