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

Stationed amid the rows and rows of tulips is a display of vintage tractors. —Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

The yearly Tulip Time Festival is another great reason to visit Holland — millions of tulips are planted across Holland, so visit in spring to see the beautiful flowers in bloom. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024

Students are giving women tulips to raise awareness and register voters. —Lori Rozsa, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Since last year, most of the wintertime flower growth – mostly tulips – has happened in the basement of the Chicago Eco House, where the Blackwells want to grow nearly 30,000 bulbs per winter. —Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024

This gorgeous faux bouquet consists of 20 pink tulips with ombre details on the petals for a more realistic appearance. —Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

The birthday girl, wearing a sweatsuit and beanie, was recorded dancing in the elevator and being gifted a big bouquet of tulips. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024

In time, the pink tablecloth was joined by an eel, a turtleneck sweater, tulips, a set of bicycle handlebars, the elevator, amphorae, portholes, a hairy goat, bricks, the light switch, and 39 other rather unlikely items from the past several thousand years. —Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024

The entire area is planted with massive tulip fields connecting several sweet, quiet towns. —Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 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.