magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pairing with spring-blooming trees like crabapple, magnolia, or serviceberry creates especially stunning combinations. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025

Honeysuckle, magnolias, winter berries, and roses utilize this plant adaptation. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025

But overprotective matriarch Gladys Gibbes (Spencer) is a true steel magnolia whose massive celebrity-chef persona will take all of Rachel’s bless-her-heart best to survive. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

One was designed to look like Louisiana’s state flower, the magnolia. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring

Medical Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

1

capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine

2

a

: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia

b

: the dried bark of a magnolia