gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli ˌgla-dē-ˈō-(ˌ)lē  -ˌlī 

1

or plural gladiolus also gladioluses : any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms

2

: the large middle portion of the sternum

Illustration of gladiolus

• gladiolus 1

Examples of gladiolus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Choose from 100 varieties, including peonies in the spring and gladiolus in the summer. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

Achimenes, African iris, agapanthus, amaryllis, blackberry lily, bulbine, caladiums, canna, crinum, crocosmia, day lily, eucharis lily, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, peacock ginger, society garlic, rain lily and walking iris. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026

The tall, enchanting gladiolus symbolizes integrity and persistence. —Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026

Long and upright leaf blades give gladiolus the common name sword lily. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, gladiolus, from diminutive of gladius

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gladiolus

• embolus
• bolus
• colas
• polis
• solus
• nucleolus

Kids Definition

gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli -ˈō-(ˌ)lē 

-ˈō-ˌlī

or gladiolus also gladioluses

: any of a genus of chiefly African plants related to the irises and having erect sword-shaped leaves and stalks of brilliantly colored flowers

Etymology

from Latin gladiolus, literally, "little sword," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiator

Medical Definition

gladiolus

noun

glad·​i·​o·​lus ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs 

plural gladioli -(ˌ)lē  -ˌlī 

: the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process

called also mesosternum