citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs 

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

ˈsi-trə-sē 

adjective

Examples of citrus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What To Know Red Chimichurri will be freshly prepared in-restaurant every day, featuring ingredients such as roasted garlic, fresh cilantro, chili peppers, and citrus juice. —Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

The sauce, priced at $1, is made fresh daily with roasted garlic, fresh cilantro, chili peppers and citrus juice. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

To keep making the most of your grill, try Nosrat’s Joojeh Kebab, where chicken thighs are marinated in yogurt, saffron, and a hit of citrus before being splayed on the barbecue. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025

Remove a thin piece of peel from a lemon (for rye) or orange (for bourbon), getting as little of the bitter white pith as possible; hold the peel between your fingers with the outside facing the top of the drink and pinch slightly to express the citrus oils over the top. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing citrus

• Asian citrus psyllid
• citrus canker
• citrus greening
• citrus greening disease
• citrus red mite

Rhymes for citrus

• nitrous

Kids Definition

citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs 

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 

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