lav·en·der
ˈla-vən-dər 
1
a
: a Mediterranean mint (Lavandula angustifolia synonym L. officinalis) widely cultivated for its narrow aromatic leaves and spikes of lilac-purple flowers which are dried and used in sachets and from which is extracted an aromatic oil used chiefly in perfumery
b
: any of several plants congeneric with true lavender and used similarly but often considered inferior
2
: a pale purple
Examples of lavender in a Sentence
Noun
a small cloth bag filled with lavender
Recent Examples on the Web
Meimei Fox, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Blue grits turn lavender when water is added to the mix, and produce grayish-blue baked goods, like pancakes and cornbread.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
With notes of green tea and lavender, the natural soy wax candle will set the mood for self-care nights and winter days spent at home.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
The name comes from the color lavender being associated with homosexuality.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The innovative dessert includes apple compote, brie ice cream, honey gel, and lavender essence.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
Gophers devoured many of his early plants, including his lavenders.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
The formula features lavender and chamomile essential oil for their soothing and calming properties.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023
Laudanum, even when sweetened with lavender, failed to calm her.
—Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2023
Then, spray the air around your seat and take a deep breath as its calming blend of peppermint, lemon, oregano, rosemary, thyme and lavender essential oils freshens and deodorizes your space.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2023
Price at time of publish: $11.70 Key Ingredients: Shea butter, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil, calendula extract, rosemary extract | Size: 0.6 oz., 0.16 oz.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023
Each order comes with eight scents: lavender, rosemary, mint/eucalyptus, lemon/mint, coconut/mint, mint/lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood.
—Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Packing Tip Bed bugs do not like tea tree oils, peppermint oil, or lavender, according to a flight attendant with advice on how to check your hotel room for the tiny insects.
—Elspeth Velten, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2023
Engage in deep breathing exercises, try meditation or yoga, or consider using calming herbal supplements such as chamomile tea or lavender oil.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 2 Sep. 2023
Your voice, your tone was so slinky and ethereal and felt like this [lavender] smells.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2023
The shine-inducing cocktail contains over 30 essential oils (peppermint, tea tree, and lavender, to name a few) to strengthen hair, soften ends, and — oh, wait.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
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Noun
Seasonal drinks include lavender lattes, maple cardamom lattes and matcha tea and raspberry lattes.
—Meimei Fox, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Blue grits turn lavender when water is added to the mix, and produce grayish-blue baked goods, like pancakes and cornbread.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
With notes of green tea and lavender, the natural soy wax candle will set the mood for self-care nights and winter days spent at home.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
The name comes from the color lavender being associated with homosexuality.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The innovative dessert includes apple compote, brie ice cream, honey gel, and lavender essence.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
Gophers devoured many of his early plants, including his lavenders.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
The formula features lavender and chamomile essential oil for their soothing and calming properties.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023
Laudanum, even when sweetened with lavender, failed to calm her.
—Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023
Verb
Thoughts of Provence evoke images of winding roads bordered by a sea of olive trees, grapevines, and lavender; of iron gates, unpaved lanes, and enormous stone homes filled with handwoven carpets, Louis XV furniture, and an infinite supply of pale-pink rosé.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2023
Then, spray the air around your seat and take a deep breath as its calming blend of peppermint, lemon, oregano, rosemary, thyme and lavender essential oils freshens and deodorizes your space.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2023
Price at time of publish: $11.70 Key Ingredients: Shea butter, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil, calendula extract, rosemary extract | Size: 0.6 oz., 0.16 oz.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023
Each order comes with eight scents: lavender, rosemary, mint/eucalyptus, lemon/mint, coconut/mint, mint/lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood.
—Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Packing Tip Bed bugs do not like tea tree oils, peppermint oil, or lavender, according to a flight attendant with advice on how to check your hotel room for the tiny insects.
—Elspeth Velten, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2023
Engage in deep breathing exercises, try meditation or yoga, or consider using calming herbal supplements such as chamomile tea or lavender oil.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 2 Sep. 2023
Your voice, your tone was so slinky and ethereal and felt like this [lavender] smells.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2023
The shine-inducing cocktail contains over 30 essential oils (peppermint, tea tree, and lavender, to name a few) to strengthen hair, soften ends, and — oh, wait.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lavender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing lavender
Dictionary Entries Near lavender
Cite this Entry
“Lavender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavender. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
lavender
noun
lav·en·der
ˈlav-ən-dər
1
a
: a Mediterranean mint widely cultivated for its narrow somewhat woolly leaves and stalks of small sweet-smelling pale violet flowers compare sea lavender
b
: the dried leaves and flowers of lavender used to perfume clothes and bed linen
2
: a pale purple
More from Merriam-Webster on lavender
Nglish: Translation of lavender for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lavender
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