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

Available starting Wednesday, her inaugural scent settles somewhere between a hyper-feminine floral and an ultra-masculine musk, with notes of peach blossom, jasmine, velvety orris, pink peony and soft ambroxan. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

Participants will create a lifelike crepe paper peony while learning techniques including petal shaping, color application, stamen creation, leaf construction and stem wrapping. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026

Things to Look Out For Pruning peonies is a relatively straightforward process, but there are some common mistakes and need-to-knows that will make or break your experience. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Maintain even moisture Tree and woodland peonies do better in dappled light, but herbaceous peonies require 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight daily for best flowering and upright growth. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 29 June 2026

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