carnation

noun

car·​na·​tion kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a plant of any of numerous often cultivated and usually double-flowered varieties or subspecies of an Old World pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) found in many color variations

2

: a moderate red

3

archaic : the variable color of human flesh

Examples of carnation in a Sentence

The groom wore a carnation in his buttonhole.

Recent Examples on the Web

This spring, the hotel continues its Easter tradition: a floral egg sculpture in the lobby made from 13,000 fresh carnations. —Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Doctors are celebrated in a variety of ways, including receiving cards, gifts, and even red carnations from patients and colleagues, symbolizing the importance of the job. —Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

The rink was empty, shrouded in fog, a carnation wreath at the entrance giving off a funeral-parlor scent. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Dye white carnations green with food coloring and leave a bouquet on the table. —Amanda Rock, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian carnagione, from carne flesh, from Latin carn-, caro

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for carnation

• ablation
• bination
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation
• conflation

Kids Definition

carnation

noun

car·​na·​tion kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a moderate red

2

: any of the numerous cultivated herbs of the genus of pinks with reddish, pink, yellow, or white usually double flowers