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

Put in at Dampier’s Landing and float for about a mile (the trip takes about an hour) beneath a canopy of cypress and pine. —Graham Averill, Outside, 11 Aug. 2025

David said the inclusion of regional sandstone, tables made of cypress wood and warm-toned furniture and flooring within the rooftop garden and interior spaces were meant to replicate nature. —Miceala Morano, Arkansas Online, 18 July 2025

The raging Blanco River bent mighty cypress and oak trees to its will. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025

Step inside, and your senses are hit by the scents of the wild: lavender, clary sage, lemongrass and cypress combine to whisper in the air. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 11 June 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