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

The plaque, which features the neighborhood’s iconic tulip design, will be unveiled on the triangle at the intersection of Charlotte Street and 27th Terrace. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2024

The exhibit’s giant and colorful hybrid animal sculptures provide new vistas for garden regulars who have seen the tulips and water lilies a hundred times over and yearn for something fresh. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 3 June 2024

Wide at the middle and narrow at the rim, the tulip silhouette yields a perfect shape for savoring your sparkling wine’s flavors and foam. —Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2024

The event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also features a selfie station, a pop-up shop from the hotel spa and a take-home tulip bulb to plant in the garden. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024

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.