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

Hearty woody herbs, such as oregano and thyme, and beneficial heat-tolerant blooms, such as marigold and zinnias, also create a living ground cover that will help retain soil moisture between waterings. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 July 2024

The family has dedicated significant time to creating their dream garden, which featured an array of petunias, roses, lavenders, strawberries, zinnias, and sunflowers. —David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Because this is at its heart a sci-fi B-movie, the eclipse causes a green zap of alien sentient plant-life to arrive on earth, nestled among the zinnias. —Vulture Staff, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024

Marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, and nasturtiums can be added to beds and interplanted with vegetables to ensure color through autumn while encouraging visiting pollinators. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

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