star-of-Beth·le·hem
-ˈbeth-li-ˌhem 
-lē-(h)əm
: any of various Old World bulbous herbs (genus Ornithogalum) of the asparagus family with basal leaves resembling grass
especially
: one (O. umbellatum) with white star-shaped flowers that is naturalized in the eastern U.S.
: a star which according to Christian tradition guided the Magi to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem
Examples of star-of-Bethlehem in a Sentence
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Jaír F. Coll Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
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Noun phrase
Then came three children dressed as Joseph, Mary and the star of Bethlehem.
—Jaír F. Coll Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Star-of-Bethlehem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star-of-Bethlehem. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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