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: a garden plant (Celosia cristata) of the amaranth family grown for its flowers

Examples of cockscomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The yard also included hydrangea, mums, asters and unusual cluster plantings of cabbage, red cockscomb and red peppers. Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 16 Sep. 2020 The second most popular flower used for the holiday is a red blossom known as cockscomb in English and cresta de gallo in Spanish. Luisa Navarro, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025 At home, Dawn maintained stunning collections of bachelor buttons, lilies, cockscomb, chrysanthemums, and different shrubs for greenery. Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star, 29 May 2020 Another flower often seen on altars is the cockscomb, also known as Celosia argentea or cresta de gallo, a striking flower characterized by its unique velvety texture and plume-like shape that resembles a rooster’s comb. Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockscomb was circa 1529

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Cite this Entry

“Cockscomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockscomb. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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