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

This pest was prevalent in gardens a couple of years ago and in high enough populations to kill magnolia trees without controlling it. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

The leaves and trunks of my magnolia are covered with gray to brown spots up to an inch or more in diameter? — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

While ‘Little Gem’ won’t grow larger than 20 feet, a standard Southern magnolia will eventually reach 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

Three traditional Chinese flower-and-bird paintings, ancient ceramic fragments depicting the magnolia, and works by a local paper flower maker helped set the scene. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

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