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

The staggering array of wildflowers at the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Fauquier County, Virginia, includes one of the largest great white trillium stands in the world. —Ashley Stimpson, Washington Post, 11 May 2026

Years ago, many more trilliums were blooming inside the fence, compared with outside. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Boone, North Carolina From late March through April, early ephemerals such as trillium and trout lily begin to emerge along wooded trails in Grandfather Mountain State Park in Boone, North Carolina. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Pine, oak, maple, beech, hemlock, witch hazel, lady’s slipper, pitcher plant, trillium, Indian pipe. —Sharon Olds, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 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

• beryllium
• concilium
• ileum
• lilium
• psyllium
• 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