1
: any of various bellflowers
especially : harebell
2
: any of various plants bearing blue bell-shaped flowers: such as
a
: a European herb (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) of the asparagus family having scapose racemes of drooping bell-shaped flowers

called also wild hyacinth

b
bluebells plural : a glabrous erect eastern U.S. herb (Mertensia virginica) of the borage family with entire leaves and showy blue flowers pink in the bud

called also Virginia bluebells

Examples of bluebell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These leather and satin jacquard lace-ups from Adidas feature a distinctive Liberty design of bluebells and roses, just subtle enough to sport with a range of outfits from jeans to a dress. — Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2026 Spanish bluebells contain saponins, which smell and taste like soap, as well as poisonous cardiac glycosides. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 Early spring brought delicate ephemerals like trilliums, bluebells and trout lilies to forest floors. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Other plants toxic to dogs and cats growing in yards across the country include sago palms, foxgloves, bluebells, crocuses, yew, hydrangea and oleanders. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bluebell

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bluebell was in 1578

Cite this Entry

“Bluebell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bluebell. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

: any of various plants (as a harebell) with blue bell-shaped flowers

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