geranium

noun

ge·​ra·​ni·​um jə-ˈrā-nē-əm  -nyəm 

1

: any of a widely distributed genus (Geranium of the family Geraniaceae, the geranium family) of plants having regular usually white, pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands that alternate with the petals

called also cranesbill

2

: pelargonium

3

: a vivid or strong red

Examples of geranium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use your stackable planter for aromatic blooms like lavender, rosemary, jasmine, and geraniums. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

The same is true for some flowers, such as marigolds and geraniums. —Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024

Tiny golden buttercups, scarlet gilia, purple sticky geraniums, and 3-foot green gentians, which live for decades but only bloom once, are all on display. —Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024

Lozier is excited about the recent arrival of plants such as delphiniums, strawberries and herbs, and said the farm’s nursery also carries plants that are known to grow well in East County, such as geraniums. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024

The candles aren't just for the scent, though—their thyme or geranium aroma naturally repels mosquitos as well, eliminating the need for citronella altogether. —Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2023

These include citronella, a few other geranium varieties, plus marigolds, lemongrass, catnip, certain types of mint, lavender, and lantana. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 4 Fourth Anniversary—Geraniums Tender geraniums are more commonly spotted in garden beds or hanging planters, providing a pop of color to yards. —Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 29 June 2023

Yes, Bamford’s finest, with heady notes of geranium. —Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, geranium, from Greek geranion, from diminutive of geranos crane — more at crane

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing geranium

• rose geranium
• wild geranium

Kids Definition

geranium

noun

ge·​ra·​ni·​um jə-ˈrā-nē-əm 

1

: any of a genus of herbs with usually deeply cut leaves and typically white, pink, or purple flowers in which glands alternate with the petals

2

: any of a genus of herbs native to southern Africa with showy flowers of usually red, pink, or white

Etymology

from Latin geranium "geranium," from Greek geranion, literally, "little crane," from geranos "crane"

Word Origin

Many of the plants in the geranium family have long, thin, pointed seedpods or fruits that look like the bills of birds. The ancient Greeks noticed this resemblance. They named the wild geranium geranion, literally meaning "little crane," for the long-legged, long-billed wading bird. English borrowed the Latin form geranium. English also borrowed the idea that the geranium's seedpod looks like a bird's bill. The common English name of the wild geranium is cranesbill.