rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers

especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea

Illustration of rhododendron

Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Cape’s iconic hydrangeas are only a small piece of this 100-acre property, celebrating the rhododendrons initially hybridized by Charles Dexter, who experimented and produced hundreds of thousands of the flower varieties that still bloom on the property today. —Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025

Damage to many rhododendrons and some azaleas could be seen during the winter and is still evident this spring. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025

In the park’s higher elevations, peregrine falcons soar over 6,000-plus-foot Appalachian peaks, and blooming rhododendrons decorate mountaintop balds. —Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 6 June 2025

As broadleaf evergreens, rhododendrons have developed a waxy coat on their leaves to help prevent water loss. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (linnaeus), going back to Latin, "oleander, a plant of the Black Sea region described by Pliny whose honey is toxic (probably Rhododendron ponticum)," borrowed from Greek rhodódendron, from rhodo- rhodo- + déndron "tree" — more at dendro-

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rhododendron

• elepidote rhododendron
• lepidote rhododendron
• rosebay rhododendron

Rhymes for rhododendron

• endrin

Kids Definition

rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrōd-ə-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs of the heath family that often have leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of yellow, white, pink, red, or purple flowers

Etymology

from scientific Latin rhododendron "rhododendron," derived from Greek rhodon "rose" and Greek dendron "tree"