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

Choose blooming shrubs and understory trees like saucer magnolia and serviceberry. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026

They are formed by algae living on the surface of the magnolia leaves. —Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026

Fill hurricane vases with magnolia leaves, or something similar, for a green centerpiece, or place camellias in a crystal bowl for a delightfully bright focal point. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

Within days of the demolition's start, the entire east side of the White House property — including the First Lady's Office, the East Colonnade, the White House Family Theater, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and historic magnolia trees — had been turned to rubble. —Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 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