cypress

¹ American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

noun

1. any of several evergreen coniferous trees constituting the genus Cupressus, having dark-green, scalelike, overlapping leaves.

2. any of various other coniferous trees of allied genera, as the bald cypress.

3. any of various unrelated plants resembling the true cypress.

4. the wood of these trees or plants.

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cypress ² American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

Or cyprus

noun

Obsolete.

1. a fine, thin fabric resembling lawn or crepe, formerly used in black for mourning garments and trimmings.

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Cypress ³ American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

noun

1. a city in SW California.

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cypress ¹ British  

/ ˈsaɪprəs /

noun

1. any coniferous tree of the N temperate genus Cupressus, having dark green scalelike leaves and rounded cones: family Cupressaceae See also Leyland cypress

2. any of several similar and related trees, such as the widely cultivated Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ( Lawson's cypress ), of the western US

3. any of various other coniferous trees, esp the swamp cypress

4. the wood of any of these trees

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cypress ² British  

/ ˈsaɪprəs /

noun

1. a fabric, esp a fine silk, lawn, or crepelike material, often black and worn as mourning

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Etymology

Origin of cypress¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English cypresse < Late Latin cypressus, apparently blend of Latin cupressus and cyparissus < Greek kypárissos; replacing Middle English cipres < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin, as above

Origin of cypress²

1350–1400; Middle English cipre ( s ), cyprus, after Cyprus

Example Sentences

At the impact site, a fresh evergreen scent wafted through the air from cypress trees whose branches were blown off in the strike.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

Behind the apostles, in a beehive of sociable activity, wingless angels busy themselves with rituals—tending to oil lamps, burning cypress branches, playing musical instruments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Previous pontiffs were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

The most allergenic tree pollens are from birch, cypress, Japanese cedar, latex, grass, and ragweed.

From Salon • May 9, 2024

The cypress was sacred to her; and all wild animals, but especially the deer.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton