andromeda

noun an·drom·eda \ an-ˈdrä-mə-də \

Definition of andromeda

: any of several evergreen shrubs (genera Pieris and Andromeda) of the heath family; especially : japanese andromeda

Recent Examples of andromeda from the Web

There are no richer parterres to my eyes than the dense beds of dwarf andromeda (Cassandra calyculata) which cover these tender places on the earth’s surface.

— henry david thoreau, The Atlantic, "The Swamp Lover," 6 Oct. 2017
Botany cannot go farther than tell me the names of the shrubs which grow there,—the high-blueberry, panicled andromeda, lambkill, azalea, and rhodora,—all standing in the quaking sphagnum.

— henry david thoreau, The Atlantic, "The Swamp Lover," 6 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'andromeda.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of andromeda

New Latin Andromeda, genus name, from Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1754

See Words from the same year

Andromeda

noun An·drom·e·da \ an-ˈdrä-mə-də \

Definition of Andromeda

1 : an Ethiopian princess of Greek mythology rescued from a monster by her future husband Perseus

[Latin (genitive Andromedae)]

: a northern constellation directly south of Cassiopeia between Pegasus and Perseus

See Andromeda defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of andromeda

Latin, from Greek Andromedē

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1538

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

andromeda

noun an·drom·e·da \ an-ˈdräm-əd-ə \

medical Definition of andromeda

1 capitalized : a small genus of low evergreen boreal or arctic shrubs of the heath family (Ericaceae) having drooping white or pinkish flowers in terminal umbels and including several that are sources of andromedotoxin

2 : any plant of the genus Andromeda