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

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

Plant bare-root peonies 2–4 weeks before frost for earlier blooms the next spring. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025

In it, bamboo shoots weave through branches of peonies and delicate blossoms while birds and butterflies drift overhead. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025

Melding flowery notes of peony, rose, freesia, and jasmine with hints of champagne, white musk, and cedarwood, the fragrance smells like a rose with a celebrity handler. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 19 Sep. 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