peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

1

: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers

2

: the flower of a peony

Examples of peony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only cut back plants that are diseased, such as peonies, which tend to be covered with powdery mildew at the end of the season. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026

How to Deadhead Shrubby Plants with Large Flowers These include large marigolds, summer phlox, astilbe, peonies, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daisies, annual and perennial salvia, petunias, and zinnias. — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026

The blooms here are peony, rosewater, and ylang-ylang, creating a hyper-femme result. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

The peonies had a glorious two-week flash in late spring; dahlias are on deck for late summer, ready to churn out rounds of dinner-plate-size blooms. — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English piony, from Anglo-French peonie, pioiné, from Latin paeonia, from Greek paiōnia, from Paiōn Paeon, physician of the gods

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peony

• tree peony

Kids Definition

peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

: any of a genus of plants that are widely grown for their large red, pink, or white flowers