cypress

1 of 2

noun (1)

cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

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

Noun

Experience something new by sleeping in a former church built in 1904 or a houseboat anchored amidst cypress trees emerging from the open water. —Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025

Bolgheri, Italy With a dramatic welcome of 2,500 cypress trees before your arrival, Bolgheri is a small town set amid the vineyards of Tuscany’s Maremma region. —Food Drink Life, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025

The 45-minute riverboat tour occurs every day of the year, weather permitting, and there are miles of beautiful trails for walking or biking through the ancient cypress swamp. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025

On the market for €5.1 million (or $5.5 million) with Savills, the villa’s roughly 10,000-square-foot garden is a true retreat, dotted with ancient trees including pines, cypresses, and holm oaks. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing cypress

• bald cypress
• cypress vine
• Monterey cypress
• summer cypress

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

: bald cypress

3

: the wood of a cypress tree

Geographical Definition

Cypress

geographical name

Cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 47,802