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

These bees forage on rhododendron flowers that carry a natural toxin called grayanotoxin. — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Mosses and lichens filled the hollows, while yellowish dead man’s fingers — a spooky and thus aptly named fungus — curled among low-growing rhododendrons that perfumed the air with warm, woody notes. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Oaks, birches, hickories, and many conifers commonly associate with ectomycorrhizae, while blueberries and rhododendrons form ericoid mycorrhizae. — Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Use a shade cloth if needed to protect young or newly planted shrubs or sensitive rhododendrons or hydrangeas. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 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"