iris

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈī-rəs 

plural irises also irides ˈī-rə-ˌdēz 

ˈir-ə-

1

a

: the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye see eye illustration

b

: iris diaphragm

also : a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size

2

also plural iris : any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers

3

: rainbow

Illustration of iris

• iris 2

iris

2 of 3

verb

irised; irising; irises

transitive verb

: to make iridescent

Iris

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈī-rəs 

: the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods

Examples of iris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some colorways, like this iris option, are customizable using an image, text, monogram or graphic. $45 Stanley Shop Now 5% off Amazon Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones These Apple active noise-canceling headphones are great for long study sessions at school. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

These are just a few of the 500 iris varieties of irises visitors will see in Schreiner’s dreamy display gardens, which opens to the public when the flowers peak in May. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

To decorate: Dip a very small paintbrush into the gel paste from the bottle and paint the outline of the eyes; use a flat angle brush for the iris. —Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024

Transparent lens membrane of the right eye covers the iris. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Dec. 2023

The compound eyes of an insect are structurally very different from that of a human—almost a separate category of organ altogether from the more familiar ocular arrangement of lens, cornea, iris, and retina. —IEEE Spectrum, 24 Nov. 2023

Overlapping state and national parks replete with coastal redwood and sequoia offer more than 38,000 acres of old growth that act as a haven for myriad wildflowers, including trillium, Douglas iris, leopard, Mariposa, and alpine lilies, snowflowers, and spotted coralroot. —Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024

Melanoma of the eye can occur in different parts of the eye, including the uvea, iris, ciliary body, conjunctiva, and eyelids. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

The garden itself is a result of a bet between Marie-Antoinette and the Count of Artois (the French queen challenged her brother-in-law to build the space in less than three months), but now features rows of roses, irises, clematis, and peonies. —Laura Hampson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, "iris of the eye, the plant Iris germanica," borrowed from Latin īrid-, īris "rainbow, the plant Iris pallida or related species," borrowed from Greek īrid-, îris "rainbow, iridescent halo around the moon, a flame, etc., iris of the eye, the plant Iris pallida or related species," going back to *wīrid-, *wīris, of uncertain origin

Note: Traditionally, Greek îris "rainbow" (for which an original digamma [letter representing the sound w] is assured by an inscription from Corinth and the metrics of epic poetry) has been regarded as a derivative of Indo-European *u̯ei̯H- "plait, wrap," parallel to Germanic *wīr- (see wire entry 1). However, the variant éris recorded by the Greek lexicographer Hesychius, as well as the dubious character of *wīrid- as an Indo-European formation (< *u̯ih₁-r-i-?) has drawn this etymology into question. Perhaps a substratal word.

Noun (2)

Latin, from Greek

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1816, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing iris

• blue flag iris
• Japanese iris
• iris diaphragm
• bearded iris

Kids Definition

iris

noun

ˈī-rəs

plural irises

-rə-səz

or irides

ˈī-rə-ˌdēz,

ˈir-ə-

1

: the colored part around the pupil of the eye that changes in size to control the amount of light entering the pupil

2

also plural iris : any of a large genus of plants with long pointed leaves and large usually brightly colored flowers

3

: iris diaphragm

Medical Definition

iris

noun

ˈī-rəs 

plural irises or irides ˈī-rə-ˌdēz  ˈir-ə- 

1

: the opaque muscular contractile diaphragm that is suspended in the aqueous humor in front of the lens of the eye, is perforated by the pupil and is continuous peripherally with the ciliary body, has a deeply pigmented posterior surface which excludes the entrance of light except through the pupil and a colored anterior surface which determines the color of the eyes

2

: iris diaphragm