cymbidium

noun

cym·​bid·​i·​um sim-ˈbi-dē-əm How to pronounce cymbidium (audio)
: any of a genus (Cymbidium) of tropical Old World epiphytic orchids with showy flowers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In addition to rows of ranunculus, there’s a rose garden, a cymbidium orchid greenhouse, and a labyrinth made of sweet peas (like a corn maze, but better smelling). Amelia Mularz, Los Angeles Magazine, 10 Apr. 2018 The maids where given yellow cymbidium orchids to carry. Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, 9 Feb. 2018 The guest card table vignette included tulips and cymbidium orchids. John-john Williams Iv, baltimoresun.com, 12 May 2017

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, borrowed from Greek kýmbē "cup, bowl, boat" (probably of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -idion, diminutive suffix

Note: The genus name was introduced by the Swedish botanist Olof Swartz (1760-1818) in "Dianome Epidendri Generis. Linn.," Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis, vol. 6 (1799), p. 70.

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cymbidium was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near cymbidium

Cite this Entry

“Cymbidium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cymbidium. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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