chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kri-ˈsan(t)-thə-məm How to pronounce chrysanthemum (audio)
 also  -ˈzan(t)-
1
: any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides
2
: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

Illustration of chrysanthemum

Illustration of chrysanthemum
  • chrysanthemum 2

Examples of chrysanthemum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The chrysanthemum has gotten a bad rap in this country, or at least in the gardening sector of this country. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024 To mark the opening of the exhibition, the Paris museum’s entrance was decorated with a colorful arrangement incorporating sunflowers and chrysanthemums by florist Baptiste Pitou, who was in charge of the ornate backdrops for Saint Laurent’s runway shows. Joelle Diderich, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024 Marigolds, daffodils, and chrysanthemums are a few of the most popular. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024 Having an allergy to plants like ragweed, chrysanthemums, and marigolds may increase your risk of an allergic reaction to dandelion tea. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chrysanthemum 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chrysanthemum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin chrȳsanthemon, chrȳsanthemum "a yellow-flowered composite plant," borrowed from Greek chrȳsánthemon "any of various plants with bright yellow flowers," from chrȳsós "gold" + ánthemon "blossom, flower" — more at chryso-, anthemion

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chrysanthemum was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near chrysanthemum

Cite this Entry

“Chrysanthemum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chrysanthemum. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

chrysanthemum

noun
chry·​san·​the·​mum kris-ˈan(t)-thə-məm How to pronounce chrysanthemum (audio)
1
: any of a genus of plants that are related to the daisies and include weeds, ornamental plants grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of substances used in medicine and as insecticides
2
: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

More from Merriam-Webster on chrysanthemum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!