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

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

Shrubs like Korean spice viburnum, should not be pruned until they're done blooming. —David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026

Oaks, dogwoods, serviceberry, viburnums, and American holly all offer valuable resources. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

Even if your viburnum needs a more aggressive pruning, doing it in late winter or early spring won't affect its growth because the energy storage is in the roots. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 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