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

Sweet Viburnum Sweet viburnum is a fast-growing and low-maintenance hedge pick that closely resembles a hydrangea bush—thanks to its large clusters of round blooms. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026

Taller cold weather survivors include suspensum viburnums, anise and tea olive. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

Sweet viburnum adapts to a wide range of soil conditions and grows quickly to create a privacy screen. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs and viburnums that formed flower beds the previous year will not flower until next year. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 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