Illustration of gladiolus
- gladiolus 1
gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs 
plural gladioli
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-(ˌ)lē
-ˌlī
-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
Examples of gladiolus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Relatively disease and pest-free, gladiolus aren't fussy about soil and, once established, are moderately drought-tolerant.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The Flower Fields started as a small ranunculus farm in the mid-1960s, when Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where the Eckes had been growing their world-famous poinsettias.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Because of their tall flower spikes, gladiolus need a little extra support, such as a bamboo stake, to keep them straight.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Feb. 2026
Overwintering cold-sensitive bulbs such as dahlias, cannas, and gladiolus is a smart way to save money, preserve your favorite varieties, and even grow bigger blooms the following summer.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
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Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The Flower Fields started as a small ranunculus farm in the mid-1960s, when Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where the Eckes had been growing their world-famous poinsettias.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Because of their tall flower spikes, gladiolus need a little extra support, such as a bamboo stake, to keep them straight.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Feb. 2026
Overwintering cold-sensitive bulbs such as dahlias, cannas, and gladiolus is a smart way to save money, preserve your favorite varieties, and even grow bigger blooms the following summer.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiolus
Cite this Entry
“Gladiolus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiolus. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
: the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process
called also mesosternum
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