tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈtü-ləp 

ˈtyü-

: any of a genus (Tulipa) of Eurasian bulbous herbs of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and are widely grown for their showy flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Examples of tulip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Daffodils and tulips — the classic spring bloomers — are planted earlier in the season but emerge as temperatures climb. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026

Some are quick bloomers that fill in fast, while others — like daffodils and tulips — are planted earlier in the season and reward you with the first real signs of life in the yard. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026

Red tulips are symbolic of romance, a perfect spring surprise for that special person. —Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026

According to Koether, commercial growers in the Netherlands follow a complex, multi-year process to hybridize, plant, grow, dig, and store tulip bulbs. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tulipa, from Turkish tülbent turban — more at turban

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tulip

• cottage tulip
• Darwin tulip
• tulip poplar
• tulip tree

Kids Definition

tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈt(y)ü-ləp 

: any of a genus of Eurasian herbs that grow from bulbs, have large lance-shaped leaves, are related to the lilies, and are widely grown for their showy cup-shaped flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Etymology

from scientific Latin tulipa "the tulip," from Turkish tülbent "tulip," literally "turban"

Word Origin

We often think of the tulip as a Dutch flower. The Dutch certainly do grow many tulips, but they first got the plant from Turkey. The Turkish word for the tulip was tülbent, meaning literally "turban." Perhaps it was the flower's shape that reminded the Turks of a turban. Or perhaps it was the bright colors and velvety petals. In any case, scientists picking a universal word for the flower chose the scientific Latin tulipa, taken from the Turkish word. The word came into English from the scientific Latin and was spelled tulip.