cypress

1 of 2

noun (1)

cy·​press ˈsī-prəs How to pronounce cypress (audio)
1
a(1)
: any of a genus (Cupressus of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling scales
(2)
: any of several coniferous trees of the cypress family or the bald cypress family
especially : bald cypress sense 1
b
: the wood of a cypress tree
2
: branches of cypress used as a symbol of mourning

cypress

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a silk or cotton usually black gauze formerly used for mourning

Examples of cypress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Here, large masses of monarch butterflies cluster together on stands of pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees to protect themselves from the elements, forming an incredible display of natural art. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025 Typically, the pontiff’s body is placed in a casket made of three materials—cypress, lead, and walnut—and then covered with a silk veil before being sealed and transported under the basilica to the Vatican Grottoes, where the remains of almost all his predecessors rest. Paolo Armelli, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025 The 331-mile trail in Kiso Valley provides respite with its brawny cedar and cypress trees but also serves a functional purpose. Haley Harrison, AFAR Media, 10 Apr. 2025 Part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, the lake is known for its thriving rookery and towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. USA Today, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cypress

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cipres, from Anglo-French ciprès, from Latin cyparissus, from Greek kyparissos

Noun (2)

Middle English ciprus, cipres, from Cyprus, Mediterranean island

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cypress was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Cypress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cypress. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cypress

noun
cy·​press
ˈsī-prəs
1
: any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs that are related to the pines and have overlapping scalelike leaves
2
3
: the wood of a cypress tree

Geographical Definition

Cypress

geographical name

Cy·​press ˈsī-prəs How to pronounce Cypress (audio)
city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 47,802

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