SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

American holly

noun
Save Word

Definition of American holly

: a tree (Ilex opaca) of moist woodlands in the eastern U.S. having duller and less spiny leaves than the European holly

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of American holly

1784, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about American holly

Time Traveler for American holly

Time Traveler

The first known use of American holly was in 1784

See more words from the same year

Statistics for American holly

Cite this Entry

“American holly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20holly. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Comments on American holly

What made you want to look up American holly? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

contaminate

Listen to the pronunciation of contaminate

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of perdure?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
AlphaBear 2

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games