plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus (Phlox of the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American annual or perennial herbs that have usually pink, purplish, white, or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit

Illustration of phlox

Illustration of phlox

Examples of phlox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hall, also a wedding florist, noted there are other plants growing in the same area, including other dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, and phlox. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 Many gardeners find these phlox indispensable for August into September color in the perennial garden. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024 Annual and perennial phlox comprised about 70 different species, many of which are native to North America. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024 Pink shades are perfect for cool color schemes, though—try mixing them with purple angelonia, white annual phlox, or burgundy-leaf sweet potato vine. Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for phlox 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phlox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Phlox, a genus name, going back to Latin phlog-, phlox "a flame-colored flower," borrowed from Greek phlóx, genitive phlogós "flame, flash (of lightning), blaze, radiance, inflammation, a flame-colored flower," o-grade derivative from the stem of phlégein "to burn up, blaze, gleam" — more at phlegm

Note: The genus name Phlox was introduced by linnaeus (Species plantarum, 1753), who adapted it in Hortus Cliffortianus (Amsterdam, 1737, p. 63) from Theophrastus's name for a plant, identified as the wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) by Liddell and Scott's dictionary and Arthur Hort's translation of Historia plantarum (Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, vol. 2 [London/New York, 1916], p. 44).

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phlox was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near phlox

Cite this Entry

“Phlox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlox. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

phlox

noun
plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus of American herbs widely grown for their showy clusters of usually white, pink, or purplish flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on phlox

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!