royal palm

noun

: any of a genus (Roystonea) of palms chiefly of the Caribbean region
especially : a tall graceful pinnate-leaved palm (R. regia) native to Cuba that is widely planted for ornament

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Native to the Philippines and Malaysia, this attractive palm, also called Manila or dwarf royal palm, actually gets its name from the bright red fruits that appear on mature trees, usually in late December. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 25 Aug. 2021 And vast plantings of mangrove, salt-resistant grass and shrubs, seagrape trees, and old growth royal palms, travelers palms, and coconut palms have made the island not just green, but increasingly resistant to natural erosion. Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2020 The birds have also been found nesting in cavities of totai and royal palms which, in Bolivia, are often clustered on elevated terrain formed from prehistoric human existence in the lowland region. National Geographic, 26 Feb. 2020 Its designers, Ali Daniel Flores and Victor Olmos, conceived their royal palm straw creation as a tribute to the sombrero — regarded as an embarrassment by today’s youth of Mexico — and to help restore local straw-weaving traditions. Linda Dyett, The Seattle Times, 16 Aug. 2018 He and his assistant, Spencer, planted most of the trees on the property: Dade County pines, royal palms, coconut palms. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2019 On Sunday evenings, after Meghan had spent the weekend with her father, the burly, bearded Thomas would drop her back at her mother’s, a second-story home on a wide street lined with stately royal palms in the diverse Miracle Mile neighborhood. Leslie Carroll, Vanities, 24 Apr. 2018 Although none of the foreigners lolling beneath the banyan trees and royal palms recognize him, a ripple of excitement passes through the Cubans, who nudge each other, smile and stare. Néstor Martí, Smithsonian, 18 Apr. 2018 Despite its petite size, the spa has an awesome array of treatments, while the sprawling pool is framed by royal palms, rocky outcrops, and snowcapped peaks. Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2018 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of royal palm was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near royal palm

Cite this Entry

“Royal palm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/royal%20palm. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

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