trillium

noun

tril·​li·​um ˈtri-lē-əm 

: any of a genus (Trillium of the family Melanthiaceae) of herbs with an erect stem bearing a whorl of three leaves and a solitary typically spring-blooming flower

Illustration of trillium

Examples of trillium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Add in some ferns, mayapples, and spring ephemerals like bloodroot, red trillium, trout lily, and Virginia bluebells for early season interest. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025

Get out and enjoy that first hike or first bike ride of the year, also keeping a look out for elusive trillium flowers and morel mushrooms. —Outside Online, 19 May 2025

These flowers—delicate, white trillium and fringed phacelia—are much more gentle on the eyes than the showy posies out West. —Emma Veidt, Outside Online, 14 Apr. 2025

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park From March trilliums, violets, bloodroot and spring beauty cover the forest floor of Great Smoky National Park, making trails like Porter’s Creek and Little River Trail incredibly scenic. —Emese MacZko, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Swedish trilling triplet; from its three leaves

First Known Use

circa 1760, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trillium

• painted trillium

Rhymes for trillium

• ileum
• lilium
• psyllium
• beryllium
• concilium
• penicillium
• verticillium

Kids Definition

trillium

noun

tril·​li·​um ˈtril-ē-əm 

: any of a genus of herbs related to the lilies that have three large leaves arranged around the upright stem at the same level and a single flower with three petals at the end of the stem

called also wake-robin