banyan

noun

ban·​yan ˈban-yən 

-ˌyan

plural banyans

: a large fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) native to India and Pakistan that starts as an epiphyte and has spreading branches which send out aerial roots that grow down to the ground and form secondary trunks around the host tree

The banyan kills the host tree by preventing its trunk from growing. After the host dies, the banyan continues to grow. Eventually, one tree appears to be an entire forest.

—National Geographic World

Illustration of banyan

Examples of banyan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That includes more than 2,000 olive trees, palms, banyans, and other trees — plus over 10,000 plants like cascading ferns, colorful flamingo and water lilies, and flowering orange tulip ginger. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

For some Save Boca members, the potential removal of the site’s thick, historic banyan trees is another reason to oppose the project. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025

The courtyard is anchored by a lush banyan tree, and a resplendent Art Deco dining room and bar encircle the boisterous patrons outdoors. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025

At the heart of it all is a magnificent, decades-old banyan tree. —Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier banyan Gujarati trader, from Portuguese banean, probably from Tamil vāniyan trader, from Sanskrit vāṇija; from a tree of the species in Iran under which such traders conducted business

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for banyan

• anion
• canyon
• carbanion
• companion

Kids Definition

banyan

noun

ban·​yan ˈban-yən 

: a large East Indian tree with branches that send out roots which grow downward into the ground and form new supporting trunks