zinnia

noun

zin·​nia ˈzi-nē-ə  ˈzē- 

ˈzi-nyə, 

ˈzē- 

: any of a genus (Zinnia) of tropical American composite herbs and low shrubs that have showy flower heads with long-lasting ray flowers

Examples of zinnia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the seasons change, the crops will transition to summer offerings including sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, legumes and pollinator-friendly flowers like zinnia and sunflower. —Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026

Pinch Young Plants When young zinnias are about 8 to 12 inches tall, pinch off or remove the top inch of the main stem just above a set of leaves. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 June 2026

Munson Farms has been planting the zinnias for 30 years, in part, because of their regrowth ability. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

In addition to sunflowers, goldfinches also love purple cone flowers, thistles, zinnias, Hooker’s evening primrose, milkweed and some weeds, including dandelions and pineapple weed. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Johann G. Zinn †1759 German botanist

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zinnia

• linea
• tinea
• perigynia
• pollinia

Kids Definition

zinnia

noun

zin·​nia ˈzin-ē-ə  ˈzin-yə 

ˈzēn-

: any of a genus of tropical American composite herbs having long-lasting flowers