willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō 

1

: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals

2

: an object made of willow wood

especially : a cricket bat

willowlike

ˈwi-lō-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of willow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the party got too wild, Maribeth and I would drift away to read under a willow that’s still out there beyond the oval in the grass that marks where the pool used to be. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

While the three were picking their way through a clump of trees at the far end of the cornfield, half a dozen does came out of the willows single file, walked under my platform within six yards of me, and started to feed. — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

The formula also features willow bark water, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin feeling balanced while targeting uneven texture and clogged pores. — Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026

Certain species like silver maples, poplars, willows, and species native to flood-prone regions are also likely to have shallower root systems. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willow

• weeping willow
• willow herb

Rhymes for willow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwil-ō 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals

willowlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective