magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring

Illustration of magnolia

Examples of magnolia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This wine from Nals Magreid, a leading cooperative producer, displays pleasant varietal aromas of lemon curd, red apple and magnolias. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

There’s nothing for you to be concerned about with your magnolia putting out a few flowers this summer; some magnolias will do so every year. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025

That design included large magnolia trees and dozens of rose bushes. —Tamara Keith, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025

My tulip magnolia tree doesn't look well (see reader's photo). —Arkansas Online, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring

Medical Definition

magnolia

noun

mag·​no·​lia mag-ˈnōl-yə 

1

capitalized : a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine

2

a

: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia

b

: the dried bark of a magnolia