witch hazel

noun

witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl How to pronounce witch hazel (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Hamamelis of the family Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family) of shrubs or small trees with slender-petaled usually yellow flowers borne in late fall or early spring
especially : one (H. virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (H. virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion

Examples of witch hazel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Formula ingredients like green tea extract help to tighten your pores, while witch hazel absorbs excess oil. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 1 May 2025 The natural witch hazel will help purify skin by removing bacteria and excess sebum, the biggest contributor to breakouts. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025 Common witch hazel can grow rather large and does not flower until plants are six years old. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024 Esthetician and skincare-expert Renée Rouleau even suggests adding witch hazel to the ice water to further the benefits. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for witch hazel

Word History

Etymology

witch, a tree with pliant branches, from Middle English wyche, from Old English wice; probably akin to Old English wīcan to yield — more at weak

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of witch hazel was in 1737

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Cite this Entry

“Witch hazel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20hazel. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

witch hazel

noun
witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl How to pronounce witch hazel (audio)
1
: any of a genus of shrubs or small trees that produce usually yellow flowers with very thin petals in late fall or early spring
especially : one of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: a soothing alcoholic lotion made from the bark of the witch hazel
Etymology

from witch, an old name for any of several trees with branches that bend easily, from Old English wice (same meaning)

Medical Definition

witch hazel

noun
witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl How to pronounce witch hazel (audio)
1
: any small tree or shrub of the genus Hamamelis
especially : one (Hamamelis virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion

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