columbine

noun col·um·bine \ ˈkä-ləm-ˌbīn \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of columbine

: any of a genus (Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family with irregular showy spurred flowers: such as

a : a red-flowered plant (A. canadensis) of eastern North America

b : a blue-flowered plant (A. caerulea) of the Rocky Mountains

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Recent Examples of columbine from the Web

Honey Dijon,’ and ‘Sombreuil’ roses, as well as a supporting cast of columbine, bearded iris, Japanese snowberry, honeysuckle, and plum.

— Sunset, "22 Favorite Roses to Grow," 22 Jan. 2018
After flowering, foxgloves, columbine and delphiniums should be pulled up.

— NOLA.com, "This week's gardening tips: don't miss the camellia show," 27 Jan. 2018
The dry prairie along the bluff top is home to little bluestem, wild bergamot, columbine and silky aster — a colorful display in the spring.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Maiden Rock Bluff offers some of the best views along the Great River Road," 8 Mar. 2018
Camelot foxgloves and Swan columbines are both Louisiana Super Plants selections.

— NOLA.com, "This week's gardening tips: don't miss the camellia show," 27 Jan. 2018
Sandy O'Brien, a member of the Friends of Fred Rose Park, said most of the flowers planted at the Fred Rose Lakeshore Park live in the park, including wild columbine.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "'Adopting' parks puts blooms in Hobart," 21 July 2017
Sun: Partial to shade Soil moisture: Average to dry Height: One to two-and-a-half feet Deer resistant: Yes Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.

— cleveland.com, "See 25 native Ohio perennials for your garden: vibrant color and deer-resistant!," 16 May 2017
This includes classics like quaking aspen, yarrow, big sagebrush, columbine and milkweed.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Milkweed, cacti, foul-smelling voodoo lilies: Visit a small — but intense — Boise garden," 23 June 2017
In pastel pinks and purples, an enchanting mix of columbines, lupines and foxgloves bloom in pockets of sun underneath Japanese maples.

— debbie arrington, sacbee.com, "How to live (peacefully) with deer in a mountain oasis," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'columbine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of columbine

Origin and Etymology of columbine

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin columbina, from Latin, feminine of columbinus like a dove, from columba dove; akin to Old High German holuntar elder tree, Greek kolymbos a small grebe, kelainos black

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First Known Use: 14th century

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