cypress

1 of 2

noun (1)

cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

1

a(1)

: any of a genus (Cupressus of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling scales

(2)

: any of several coniferous trees of the cypress family or the bald cypress family

especially : bald cypress sense 1

b

: the wood of a cypress tree

2

: branches of cypress used as a symbol of mourning

cypress

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a silk or cotton usually black gauze formerly used for mourning

Examples of cypress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Making the most of retinol’s benefits are soothing cypress leaf, a skin barrier-supporting growth factor, and a patented Lacto-Exosome, which targets elasticity. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025

To this end, Eckley planted hedges of Leyland cypress, which, at up to 16 feet tall, help provide privacy and muffle noise. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025

Its cypress-incense essence and its molten oud feel half-spiritual, half-seductive. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

Once October and November hit, the cypress trees that line both sides of the river light up in shades or orange and red, striking a sharp contrast against the turquoise water and the green in the rest of the valley. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cipres, from Anglo-French ciprès, from Latin cyparissus, from Greek kyparissos

Noun (2)

Middle English ciprus, cipres, from Cyprus, Mediterranean island

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cypress

• bald cypress
• cypress vine
• Monterey cypress
• summer cypress

Kids Definition

cypress

noun

cy·​press

ˈsī-prəs

1

: any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs that are related to the pines and have overlapping scalelike leaves

2

: bald cypress

3

: the wood of a cypress tree

Geographical Definition

Cypress

geographical name

Cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 47,802