chrysanthemum
Americannoun
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any of several composite plants of the genus Chrysanthemum, as C. leucanthemum, the oxeye daisy, having white ray flowers with a yellow center.
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any cultivated variety of the plant C. morifolium, native to China, and of other species of Chrysanthemum, notable for the diversity of color and size of their autumnal flowers.
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the flower of any such plant.
noun
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any widely cultivated plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, esp C. morifolium of China, having brightly coloured showy flower heads: family Asteraceae (composites)
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any other plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, such as oxeye daisy
Usage
What does chrysanthemum mean? The name chrysanthemum is used to refer to a number of plants known for their showy flowers that come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow. The name can refer to the flower or the plant and can be used for any plant in the genus Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums are often referred to with the shortened name mums. Chrysanthemums are one of the November birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). In parts of the U. S., chrysanthemums are a popular decoration for the fall season. The flowers also have cultural significance in East Asia, particularly In Japan and China. The chrysanthemum is the official flower of the city of Chicago. Example: In the fall, we like to decorate our front port with chrysanthemums and pumpkins.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of chrysanthemum
1570–80; < Latin < Greek chrȳsánthemon, equivalent to chrȳs- chrys- + ánthemon flower, akin to ánthos; see antho-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That appeared to pave the way for the emperor's daughter to rise to the Chrysanthemum Throne, but the birth of Prince Hisahito, the emperor's nephew, the following year silenced the debate.
From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026
After all, this is a royal family whose Chrysanthemum throne rule and lineage trace millennia, a royal house which did not wish to taint themselves with social media for well over a decade.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2024
Renee Wherley, president of the San Gabriel Valley Chrysanthemum Society, will give a free introduction to chrysanthemums talk at 11:30 a.m. on Oct.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2022
Under the current law, Aiko is not eligible to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 17, 2022
The Trianon Tribune, the Chrysanthemum Chronicles, the Orléansian Times, and more from every corner of the kingdom.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
