citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs 

plural citrus or citruses

often attributive

: any of a group of often thorny trees and shrubs (Citrus and related genera) of the rue family grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (such as the orange or lemon) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh

also : the fruit

citrusy

ˈsi-trə-sē 

adjective

Examples of citrus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This comes in soft gel form, with citrus essence for a pleasant flavor. —Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024

Get The Recipe 22 of 50 Key Lime Daiquiris Daiquiri lovers will adore this tropical twist of rum, citrus juice, and sweetener. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

Complete with a strainer lid, jigger cap, citrus reamer, and shatterproof steel rocks, this nestable set can be stacked into the shaker for easy transportation — whether that’s to the next campsite or the next party. —Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

Fruit trees Plant subtropical fruit trees now: citrus, avocado, guava, banana, papaya (along the coast only), jaboticaba, mango, coffee, etc. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Le Parfum Eau De Parfum Spray Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Cologne These delightful scents for men feature mostly wood, citrus, or coastal region scents for men to enjoy all day long. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

As for the finished product, the Surveyor 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is a zippy and balanced white with notes of citrus, green apple, and grapefruit zest. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024

Try getting a forkful of golden cheese, juicy citrus, punchy jalapeno, and raw shallot, all showered in herbs. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024

Full bodied, this delivers baked apple, orange and concentrated citrus, baking spices, a bit of a warm earthy note; Honesty and earnestness over flashiness. —Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing citrus

• Asian citrus psyllid
• citrus canker
• citrus greening
• citrus greening disease
• citrus red mite

Kids Definition

citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs 

plural citrus or citruses

: any of a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs (as the orange, grapefruit, or lemon) grown in warm regions for their fruits

also : the fruit of a citrus

citrus adjective

Medical Definition

citrus

noun

cit·​rus ˈsi-trəs 

often attributive

1

capitalized : a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs of the rue family (Rutaceae) grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (as the orange, lemon, lime, or mandarin) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh

2

plural citruses or citrus : any plant or fruit of the genus Citrus or a related genus