tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈtü-ləp 

ˈtyü-

: any of a genus (Tulipa) of Eurasian bulbous herbs of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and are widely grown for their showy flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Examples of tulip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Learn how to capture the shape and texture of florals such as roses and tulips using the watercolor techniques. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals The tulips are finishing for most in this region, but peonies, serviceberry, and lilacs are in bloom. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026

The broad, strappy leaves of tulips have a waxy coating that gives them a blue-green color, with usually two to six leaves per plant. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026

Now, as spring has sprung on the Connecticut shoreline, yellow, red and white tulips tucked inside red, yellow and orange rain boots, along with gigantic orange and pink peonies, have sprouted in the 8-foot plate glass windows at Lily’s, 8 Post Office Square. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tulipa, from Turkish tülbent turban — more at turban

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tulip

• cottage tulip
• Darwin tulip
• tulip poplar
• tulip tree

Kids Definition

tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈt(y)ü-ləp 

: any of a genus of Eurasian herbs that grow from bulbs, have large lance-shaped leaves, are related to the lilies, and are widely grown for their showy cup-shaped flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Etymology

from scientific Latin tulipa "the tulip," from Turkish tülbent "tulip," literally "turban"

Word Origin

We often think of the tulip as a Dutch flower. The Dutch certainly do grow many tulips, but they first got the plant from Turkey. The Turkish word for the tulip was tülbent, meaning literally "turban." Perhaps it was the flower's shape that reminded the Turks of a turban. Or perhaps it was the bright colors and velvety petals. In any case, scientists picking a universal word for the flower chose the scientific Latin tulipa, taken from the Turkish word. The word came into English from the scientific Latin and was spelled tulip.