willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō 

1

: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals

2

: an object made of willow wood

especially : a cricket bat

willowlike

ˈwi-lō-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of willow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ritual floats on, coming around each summer like the willow warbler or the common cuckoo. —Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025

The lagoon for musical number ‘Kiss the Girl’ was built on Stage 7 and featured a beach, real boats, a waterfall and a 35-foot-tall willow tree. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Our bows were willow, the bowstrings babiche trimmed to an even thickness. —Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025

The active ingredient in willow bark is salicin, which is very similar to aspirin. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willow

• weeping willow
• willow herb

Rhymes for willow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwil-ō 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals

willowlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective