peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

1

: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers

2

: the flower of a peony

Examples of peony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ahead, discover some of the best peony perfumes to bring the glorious garden floral to you. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 7 Sep. 2026

Top perennial picks include black-eyed Susans, chrysanthemums, daylilies, hostas, and peonies. — Annie Burdick, The Spruce, 2 Sep. 2026

Place Your Plant Gently place the peony plant into the hole and cover it with soil. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026

Typically, a balanced fertilizer is best for peonies or a fertilizer that’s specifically formulated to help blooms, like a bone meal or a fertilizer like Bulb-tone. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English piony, from Anglo-French peonie, pioiné, from Latin paeonia, from Greek paiōnia, from Paiōn Paeon, physician of the gods

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peony

• tree peony

Kids Definition

peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

: any of a genus of plants that are widely grown for their large red, pink, or white flowers