: a widely cultivated ornamental climbing or prostrate or sometimes shrubby chiefly Eurasian vine (Hedera helix) of the ginseng family with evergreen leaves, small yellowish flowers, and black berries
2
: any of several climbing plants (such as Virginia creeper) resembling ivy
Annual geraniums come in different types: zonal, ivy, and regal.—Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2022 Time turns back in the Royal Dining Room, where the table is set with a silver service given to Queen Elizabeth II's grandparents King George V and Queen Mary for their Silver Jubilee in 1935, among ivy and candelabra.—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2022 Poison ivy, on the other hand, doesn’t activate IgE or an antibody response.—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2022 It’s the Lenox Christmas pattern with the holly and the ivy on it.—Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2022 In a leafy Minneapolis neighborhood under a thick cloak of ivy stands a modest concrete building.—Caity Weaver, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2022 Wearing a navy three-piece Ralph Lauren suit, Peter then escorted his wife up the stairs of the South Portico—swathed with ivy and white roses and hydrangea—for a luncheon in the State Dining Room.—Chloe Malle, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2022 Wrapped in ivy and glass, the main residence spans a single story with four bedrooms and six bathrooms in 9,200 square feet.—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2022 How cute is this elf climbing up the ivy to rescue his princess?—Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 28 Oct. 2022
Adjective
The actress, who's known for being something of an amateur equestrian, appears to be bending over to give her horse Ivy water through a tiny straw.—Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 21 June 2017 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ivy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English īfig; akin to Old High German ebah ivy
Adjective
from the prevalence of ivy-covered buildings on the campuses of older U.S. colleges
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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