viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

: any of a genus (Viburnum of the family Adoxaceae) of widely distributed shrubs or small trees with simple leaves and white or sometimes pink cymose flowers

Examples of viburnum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arrowwood Viburnum Another native shrub, arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) sports snowy white blooms in spring and dark blue berries in late summer and fall. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026

This insect will kill arrowwood viburnums when its population gets large enough and the shrubs are defoliated over a period of years. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Generally, viburnums have an upright, loose habit and grow 6 to 12 feet or more tall. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2026

Like most viburnum, Coppertop® is resistant to deer browsing. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a viburnum

First Known Use

circa 1731, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

: any of a genus of widely distributed shrubs or small trees that are related to the honeysuckles and have white or sometimes pink flowers in broad clusters

Medical Definition

viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

1

capitalized : a large genus of widely distributed shrubs or trees (family Adoxaceae) including several species whose dried bark has been used in folk medicine

2

: any plant of the genus Viburnum