geranium

[ ji-rey-nee-uhm ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Geranium, which comprises the crane's-bills.
2. the wild geranium, G. maculatum, of eastern North America, having loose clusters of lavender flowers.
3. Also called stork's-bill. any of various plants of the allied genus Pelargonium, native to southern Africa, having showy flowers or fragrant leaves, widely cultivated in gardens and as houseplants.
4. a flower of this plant.
5. a vivid red color.

geranium

/ dʒɪˈreɪnɪəm /

noun

1. See lemon geranium, rose geranium, pelargonium
   any cultivated geraniaceous plant of the genus Pelargonium , having scarlet, pink, or white showy flowers See also pelargonium rose geranium lemon geranium
2. any geraniaceous plant of the genus Geranium, such as cranesbill and herb Robert, having divided leaves and pink or purplish flowers
3. a strong red to a moderate or strong pink colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of geranium¹

1540–50; < New Latin, for Latin geranion < Greek geránion name for various plants the fruit of which was thought to resemble a crane's bill, derivative of géranos crane; akin to Latin grūs

Word History and Origins

Origin of geranium¹

C16: from Latin: cranesbill, from Greek geranion, from geranos crane

Example Sentences

If that’s not your thing, there are natural air-freshening alternatives, such as fragrant houseplants like geraniums and jasmine.

From Popular-Science

The smokestacks were still creating jobs and the geraniums were still resisting housing – single-family homes built further out from the city center were the only projects acceptable.

From Voice of San Diego

The losers in the battle were not the geraniums or the smokestacks but the people who had to live in the camps, on the street or in the jalopies they drove in with.

From Voice of San Diego

The few bursts of color were provided by furry pumps in geranium.

From The Daily Beast

But step before her with my arms clasping a tin can with a geranium plant r Heaven forbid!

From Project Gutenberg

The girl held a geranium leaf up to her nose and said nothing, but looked knowing and noncommittal.

From Project Gutenberg

The window frame was filled with pots of flowers, and she sat and picked the dry leaves from a rose geranium.

From Project Gutenberg

It is quite unlike any other Geranium of which I have any knowledge, in general habit.

From Project Gutenberg

In Major Ellison's buttonhole there was a carnation and a rosebud backed by a geranium leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cardinal
• coral
• crimson
• flaming
• glowing
• maroon
• rose
• wine