hyacinth

noun

hy·​a·​cinth ˈhī-ə-(ˌ)sin(t)th How to pronounce hyacinth (audio)
-sən(t)th
1
a
: a precious stone of the ancients sometimes held to be the sapphire
b
: a gem zircon or hessonite
2
a
: a plant of the ancients held to be a lily, iris, larkspur, or gladiolus
b
: a bulbous perennial herb (Hyacinthus orientalis) of the lily family that is native to the Mediterranean region but is widely grown for its dense spikes of fragrant flowers compare grape hyacinth, water hyacinth
3
: a light violet to moderate purple
hyacinthine adjective

Illustration of hyacinth

Illustration of hyacinth
  • hyacinth 2b

Examples of hyacinth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Spring flowers, including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, pansies and lilies, are displayed around the show's theme. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2024 The bloody conflicts cited by Francis contrasted with a riot of bright colors lent by orange-red tulips, yellow sprays of forsythia and daffodils, hyacinths and other colorful seasonal flowers that decorated St. Peter’s Square. Frances D'emilio, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2023 Blue hyacinths suggest constancy of love, while yellow tulips indicate there is sunshine in your smile. Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 The division is planning mechanical harvesting, if necessary, in addition to herbicide control, especially if hyacinth becomes overgrown. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 Crocuses, hyacinths, and snowdrops are the first to burst from the thawing ground. Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 For those who can’t make it to Las Vegas, Bellagio has also released a special edition Prosperity Candle for the Year of the Dragon with scents of honeysuckle nectar, hyacinth, lemon, and orange blossom, which can be purchased through bellagioathome.com. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2024 But 2023 brought lighter moments as well, showcasing L.A. in all its variety: glittery Taylor Swift fans, a chef making Oaxacan tamales in Koreatown, a guy biking through Griffith Park while being trailed by his pet hyacinth macaws. Times Photography Staff, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023 Sometimes the impact is stunningly immediate: In 2007, Cyclone Sidr swallowed thousands of homes here, leaving clusters of hyacinths floating in their places today and driving many residents to Mongla. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hyacinth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin hyacinthus, a precious stone, a flowering plant, from Greek hyakinthos

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyacinth was in 1553

Dictionary Entries Near hyacinth

Cite this Entry

“Hyacinth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyacinth. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hyacinth

noun
hy·​a·​cinth ˈhī-ə-(ˌ)sin(t)th How to pronounce hyacinth (audio)
1
: a red or brownish gem
2
: a common garden plant that grows from a bulb, is related to the lilies, and is widely grown for its showy dense spikes of fragrant bell-shaped flowers compare grape hyacinth, water hyacinth

More from Merriam-Webster on hyacinth

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