lotus

noun

lo·​tus ˈlō-təs 

plural lotuses also lotus

1

or less commonly lotos

ˈlō-təs 

: a fruit eaten by the lotus-eaters and considered to cause indolence and dreamy contentment

also : a tree (such as Zizyphus lotus of the buckthorn family) reputed to bear this fruit

2

: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art and religious symbolism

3

[New Latin, from Latin]

a

: any of a genus (Lotus) of widely distributed upright herbs or subshrubs of the legume family

b

: sweet clover

Illustration of lotus

• lotus 2

Examples of lotus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arrange artichokes, heads of lettuce, and lotus pods in similar colored vases, or use dry split peas as a vase filler. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025

He’s also appeared in videos posted on social media at the zoo, sipping milk while sitting cross-legged and stealing lotus flowers to the delight of visitors, per News18. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

The spa has recently been redesigned and now offers outdoor relaxation spaces near a peaceful lotus pond, along with treatments rooted in local healing traditions. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025

Their goal is to then access a magic elixir that’ll revive the lotus and extend their lives. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin lotus, from Greek lōtos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing lotus

• lotus-eater
• lotus position

Rhymes for lotus

• motus
• notice
• haliotis
• melilotus
• microtus
• myotis

Kids Definition

lotus

noun

lo·​tus ˈlōt-əs 

: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art