panicle

noun

pan·​i·​cle ˈpa-ni-kəl 

1

: a compound racemose inflorescence see inflorescence illustration

2

: a pyramidal loosely branched flower cluster

panicled

ˈpa-ni-kəld 

adjective

paniculate

pa-ˈni-kyə-lət 

pə-

adjective

Examples of panicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now Hydrangea-Smooth and panicle species: Wait to prune big leaf and oakleaf species until flowering ends. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2026

Cold protection depends on hydrangea type, since bigleaf varieties need insulation, while panicle and smooth types recover easily. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

Prune panicle hydrangeas in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

One of the hardiest hydrangeas (down to Zone 3), panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a large shrub that should be pruned in late winter or very early spring. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin panicula, diminutive of panus

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for panicle

• biomechanical
• thermomechanical
• botanical
• brahmanical
• mechanical
• tyrannical
• electromechanical
• puritanical

Kids Definition

panicle

noun

pan·​i·​cle ˈpan-i-kəl 

: a branched flower cluster (as of a lilac or some grasses) in which each branch from the main stem has one or more flowers