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

Imagine magnolia and sweet rain evoking Hurston’s Florida, or dandelion-nodding Peony Morrison drawing from The Bluest Eye. —Martine Thompson, Essence, 5 June 2025

Taylor by Taylor Swift (magnolia and tangerine); Taylor by Taylor Swift: Made of Starlight (apricot); and Incredible Things (Grapefruit). —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 May 2025

Faux magnolia leaves intertwine with artificial eucalyptus for decor that will look evergreen all season, indoors or out. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025

The average lifespan of a southern magnolia is 100 years, according to the park service. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 8 Apr. 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