peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

1

: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers

2

: the flower of a peony

Examples of peony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dogears, underlines, and peonies marking each favorite page. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

Boy Smells rarely if ever goes on sale, but its cult-favorite scent, LES (with notes of cedarwood, bergamot, black currant, and peony), is discounted right this minute. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2025

The scent of peonies immediately takes me back to my childhood home in Western North Carolina and my mother's garden. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

Cut back plants with diseased foliage, such as peonies with powdery mildew, to prevent reinfection. —Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English piony, from Anglo-French peonie, pioiné, from Latin paeonia, from Greek paiōnia, from Paiōn Paeon, physician of the gods

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peony

• tree peony

Kids Definition

peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē 

plural peonies

: any of a genus of plants that are widely grown for their large red, pink, or white flowers