magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Saucer magnolia has other features that set it apart from most trees. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024

Even in pastoral scenes like his study of two magnolia warblers, the little birds vibrate with expectancy, each obviously poised for flight. —Danny Heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2024

Magnolia Ann is a later-blooming magnolia that escapes such carnage. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 May 2024

Tiny white lights illuminate the trees that line historic streets, colorful front doors are adorned with waxy magnolia wreaths, century-old wrought iron gates wear garlands like necklaces, and store windows display scenes borrowed from vintage Christmas postcards. —Paige Porter Fischer, Southern Living, 3 May 2024

In spring, cherry blossoms and magnolias bloom all around the capital, giving whole new meaning to la vie en rose. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024

Here's some shocking news: Southern magnolia doesn't need any fertilizer, so don't waste your money. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

Among the centuries-old magnolias and native wildlife, residents and guests have access to numerous amenities that include a deep-water marina, a spa, a sports barn and pool, a community farm, and a shooting preserve. —Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024

Like the student sniffing a magnolia, the artists are unabashedly ironic. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring

Medical Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

1

capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine

2

a

: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia

b

: the dried bark of a magnolia