gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli ˌgla-dē-ˈō-(ˌ)lē  -ˌlī 

1

or plural gladiolus also gladioluses : any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms

2

: the large middle portion of the sternum

Illustration of gladiolus

• gladiolus 1

Examples of gladiolus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Novack grew up nearby, where gardening, albeit with nonnative plants like gladiolus, had been an essential part of her childhood. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Those bulbs are dormant now, so shop for and plant bugle lilies, species gladiolas (a million times better than gaudy, fancy hybrid gladiolus), native mariposa lilies, baboon flower, and more. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Gardeners in Zones 6-7 may be able to see some blooms if an early-season variety of gladiolus is planted in early August. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

The heavy flowering stems of gladiolus need to be supported, especially in windy, rainy conditions. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, gladiolus, from diminutive of gladius

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gladiolus

• embolus
• bolus
• colas
• polis
• solus
• nucleolus

Kids Definition

gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli -ˈō-(ˌ)lē 

-ˈō-ˌlī

or gladiolus also gladioluses

: any of a genus of chiefly African plants related to the irises and having erect sword-shaped leaves and stalks of brilliantly colored flowers

Etymology

from Latin gladiolus, literally, "little sword," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiator

Medical Definition

gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli -(ˌ)lē  -ˌlī 

: the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process

called also mesosternum