rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers

especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea

Illustration of rhododendron

Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sprawling gardens surrounding the hotel, designed by Xavier de Chirac, complement the building’s majestic architecture—Irish yews, white hydrangeas, azaleas and rhododendrons, and Japanese maples, to name a few mainstays. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026

Himanshu, Rohan, and I knelt on the ground, poured water onto the stone, and threw rhododendron flowers on top as an offering. —Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026

Before summer’s oppressive heat and ever-present humidity descend upon the region, there’s this fleeting period where 70-degree days help coax into bloom Catawba rhododendron, dogwood trees, and azaleas—and yes, even the invasive, foul-smelling Bradford pears. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026

Some options here include bleeding hearts, violas, and aubrieta, as well as magnolia and rhododendrons. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (linnaeus), going back to Latin, "oleander, a plant of the Black Sea region described by Pliny whose honey is toxic (probably Rhododendron ponticum)," borrowed from Greek rhodódendron, from rhodo- rhodo- + déndron "tree" — more at dendro-

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rhododendron

• elepidote rhododendron
• lepidote rhododendron
• rosebay rhododendron

Rhymes for rhododendron

• endrin

Kids Definition

rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrōd-ə-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs of the heath family that often have leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of yellow, white, pink, red, or purple flowers

Etymology

from scientific Latin rhododendron "rhododendron," derived from Greek rhodon "rose" and Greek dendron "tree"