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

On a terrace flanked by cypress trees, there’s a sculpture of a prancing horse, while a vine-laden pergola shades an alfresco dining space. —Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2023

Start this portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail — the Florida Trail, for short — from Southwest 79th Terrace in Jasper, then hike past cypress trees and limestone bluffs on the nearly eight-mile one-way trip to Holton Creek River Camp. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023

Baltimore is a brick city but this pair (there were once a row of eight) of oak and yellow pine structures, with cypress shingles, beat the odds of fire and development. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2023

Outdoors, the grounds are laced with olive, fruit and cypress trees, and host a heated infinity pool flanked by an open-air cabana, as well as two vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, gym and tennis court that doubles as a helipad. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2023

Walls covered with horizontal reclaimed cypress boards lend a subtle texture and aroma that gypsum drywall just can’t provide. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023

Custom cypress wood walls give this space a homey feel without compromising the contemporary renovations. —Ashley Hays-Weaver, Dallas News, 21 July 2023

Scientists stumbled upon the gigantic specimen—a Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa)—in May, according to a statement from Peking University. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2023

Other options include cedar, cypress and redwood, which are naturally rot resistant, but more expensive. —Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 31 May 2023

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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

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

• cypress vine
• bald cypress
• 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