magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps your next door neighbor has a much fuller magnolia tree, or your acquaintance down the street grows dozens upon dozens of lovely roses. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025

Little Gem dwarf southern magnolias, for example, would be beautiful if flanked by a medium-sized holly (dwarf Burford or Willowleaf) on one side and by Sea Green junipers on the other. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

This wine from Nals Magreid, a leading cooperative producer, displays pleasant varietal aromas of lemon curd, red apple and magnolias. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

There’s nothing for you to be concerned about with your magnolia putting out a few flowers this summer; some magnolias will do so every year. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring

Medical Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

1

capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine

2

a

: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia

b

: the dried bark of a magnolia