bonsai
Americannoun
plural
bonsai-
a tree or shrub that has been dwarfed, as by pruning the roots and pinching, and is grown in a pot or other container and trained to produce a desired shape or effect.
-
the art or hobby of developing and growing such a plant or plants.
noun
-
the art of growing dwarfed ornamental varieties of trees or shrubs in small shallow pots or trays by selective pruning, etc
-
a tree or shrub grown by this method
Etymology
Origin of bonsai
1945–50; < Japanese bon-sai tray planting < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese pén tray + zāi plant, shoot
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.
His dream, he said, is to create a "large national bonsai collection", something he had already begun laying the groundwork for.
From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026
There's some bonsai and a lot of bowing.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2024
There they are at an exhibition of bonsai plants at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, or posing with visiting dignitaries from Kenya and Brunei, or presiding over the awarding of awards.
From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024
Seattle Seed Company Forged Steel Pruners Forged carbon steel utility shears are a must for any gardener, used for pruning small shrubs, coaxing bonsai and gathering herbs.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023
She limited bonsai plants and pampered rare orchids.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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.
