carnation

American  

[kahr-ney-shuhn] / kɑrˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. any of numerous cultivated varieties of the clove pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, having long-stalked, fragrant, usually double flowers in a variety of colors: the state flower of Ohio.

2. pink; light red.

3. Obsolete. the color of flesh.

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adjective

1. having the color carnation.

carnation British  

/ kɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. Also called: clove pink.  a Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus caryophyllus, cultivated in many varieties for its white, pink, or red flowers, which have a fragrant scent of cloves

2. the flower of this plant

3. 1. a pink or reddish-pink colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a carnation dress

4. (often plural) a flesh tint in painting

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Usage

What does carnation mean? A carnation is a fragrant flower that’s commonly reddish-pink but is found in a variety of colors, including white, pale pink, red, and even purple. Some varieties are striped. Another name for the carnation is clove pink. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus. Carnations are some of the most popular flowers to give as gifts. They are often given to mothers on Mother’s Day. Different colors of carnations are said to have different meanings when presented as gifts. For example, red carnations are said to represent longing or admiration. The carnation is the state flower of Ohio. It’s also the January birth flower (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). The word carnation can also be used as a word for a pink or light red color like that of the flower. Example: My prom corsage was made of lovely pink carnations.

Etymology

Origin of carnation

1525–35; < Late Latin carnātiōn- (stem of carnātiō ) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) flesh + -ātiōn- -ation

Example Sentences

The STG-Remlinger Farms partnership was forged on the fly last summer when “permitting issues” forced a site change for three shows with Australian psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard originally planned at Carnation Farms.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

Seattle Theatre Group’s new Carnation concert venue opens with a triple-barrel blast, led by Northwest alt-rockers Portugal.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2024

The Seattle area’s biggest new music venue is slated to open on a Carnation farm next month.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024

The frustrations have come into sharper focus because the election roughly coincides with the 50th anniversary next month of the Carnation Revolution.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2024

After a hundred white meals of fufu, bread, Potato Buds and Carnation milk, it was too much taste and color for me.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver