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 the northern end of California’s Central Coast, the region’s rolling hills and sunny beaches give way to misty bays and cypress groves, pounding turquoise surf and steep, plunging cliffs. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026

Keep in mind that mites, bagworms, and root rot can be common issues when growing Italian cypress, says Abdi. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026

The large, wading bird typically nests in bald trees such as cypress, sweet gum and mangrove, which are found in Georgia, South Carolina and other coastal plain states. —Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026

But all that is left now is the concrete slab that once served as the floor of his popular wedding venue, and the once-regal nearby 40-foot cypress trees are now bent over after raging floodwaters destroyed everything in their path. —Abrielle Kate Maddison, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026

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