orchid

noun

or·chid | \ ˈȯr-kəd

Definition of orchid

1 : any of a large family (Orchidaceae, the orchid family) of perennial epiphytic or terrestrial monocotyledonous plants that usually have showy 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip and differing from the others in shape and color

2 : a light purple

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Iguana-proof plants: Iguanas are herbivores and love to munch on bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids, mangoes and bananas, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. — Doreen Christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Expert tips on how to control iguanas," 21 June 2018 The orchids were crisp and white, the servers were dangling baskets of ciabatta bread, and the owner, Menbere Aklilu, was blinking away tears. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Patrons grieve end of popular Richmond restaurant: ‘A dagger to community’s heart’," 16 June 2018 Coby Persin’s video Coby Persin planted flowers, including these orchids, in potholes around New York City after getting a flat tire from one of the city's many holes. — Valerie Bauerlein, WSJ, "Pothole Vigilantes Fill the Streets, Plugging Gaps Left by City Workers," 30 May 2018 Each spring, the orchid, whose bulbous crimson body looks like an insect, releases a pheromone that tricks solitary male bees into thinking the plant is a mating partner — a key step for pollination. — Author: Livia Albeck Ripka, Brad Plumer, Anchorage Daily News, "5 plants and animals utterly confused by climate change," 10 Apr. 2018 Notes of apple blossom and white orchid enhance the fragrance with a hint of floralcy. — Kelly Conaboy, The Cut, "The Perfect Candle for Washing-Machine-less Laundry Lovers," 29 June 2018 Vanilla begins as a long, thin pod on a tropical climbing orchid, the fruit of a flower that blooms for only one day. — Carole Kotkin, miamiherald, "There's nothing vanilla about cooking with fragrant, homemade vanilla," 13 June 2018 Celebrate Mother's Day 2018 with spring flower favorites like hydrangeas, roses, orchids, daisies & more! — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Remember Your Mother. Save $10 on Flowers," 7 May 2018 More than 1,000 butterflies flitter among a natural-rock waterfall, palms, and even orchids. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Secret gardens: A global tour of hidden urban oases," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'orchid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.