purpleheart

1 of 2

noun (1)

pur·​ple·​heart ˈpər-pəl-ˌhärt 

: a strong durable purplish wood that is obtained from various leguminous trees (genus Peltogyne) of Central and South America

also : a tree producing such wood

Purple Heart

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action

Examples of purpleheart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some of my favorite get-loud strikers include purpleheart, hickory, and birch. —Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020

Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others). —Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017

Noun

Collins, 49, is a former Army Green Beret and disabled veteran who had part of his leg amputated and is a Purple Heart recipient. —Steve Bousquet, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025

The crowd clapped and cheered as veterans groups — from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to the Polish League of American Veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Veterans of America — passed by. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 5 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1738, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Purple Heart

noun

: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action