myrtle

noun

myr·​tle ˈmər-tᵊl 

often attributive

1

a

: a common evergreen bushy shrub (Myrtus communis of the family Myrtaceae, the myrtle family) of southern Europe with oval to lance-shaped shiny leaves, fragrant white or rosy flowers, and black berries

b

: any of the chiefly tropical shrubs or trees comprising the myrtle family

2

a

: periwinkle entry 1 sense 1a

b

: california laurel

Illustration of myrtle

• myrtle 1a

Examples of myrtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dilawar Mondal gently bends the stems of a centuries-old myrtle plant to examine its aromatic leaves, used in the Jewish ritual bath for the dead. —Sarah Aziz, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jan. 2024

Dingle uses, amongst other botanicals, rowan berry from the mountain ash trees, fuchsia, bog myrtle, hawthorn and heather for a taste of the Irish landscape. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

For example, myrtle spurge, a succulent that sprouts yellow and white flowers, is an invasive species that the Salt Lake County Health Department considers a noxious weed. —Paige Ney, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023

Still, Sukkot is a joyous occasion, one that is centered on four plant species: the myrtle, willow, citron and date palm, whose frond is known as the lulav. —Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023

Plants in the garden have Greek origins or symbolism, including myrtle, sage and Cyprus trees. —Zachary Smith, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023

For dessert: a panna cotta of lemon myrtle and sunrise lime, an oval fruit that tasted a bit like a kumquat. —Veronica M. Stoddart, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2023

The Four Species of Sukkot The lulav (date palm frond), etrog (citron fruit), hadass (myrtle), and aravah (willow) are four plants mentioned in the Torah, known collectively as the four species. —Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 24 Aug. 2023

The unique design also includes some of the flowers from the Queen's funeral bouquet, including her favorite pink roses, myrtle cut from a plant grown from the same sprig Princess Elizabeth had in her wedding bouquet and rosemary, the traditional emblem of remembrance. —Monique Jessen, Peoplemag, 6 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mirtille, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin myrtillus, from Latin myrtus, from Greek myrtos

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing myrtle

• crepe myrtle
• crape myrtle
• sand myrtle
• wax myrtle
• crêpe myrtle

Kids Definition

myrtle

noun

myr·​tle ˈmərt-ᵊl 

1

: a common evergreen shrub of southern Europe with leaves, fragrant white or rosy flowers, and black berries

2

a

: any of the family of chiefly tropical shrubs or trees (as eucalyptus or guava) to which the common myrtle belongs

b

: periwinkle entry 1