mistletoe

American  

[mis-uhl-toh] / ˈmɪs əlˌtoʊ /

noun

1. a European plant, Viscum album, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.

2. any of several other related, similar plants, as Phoradendron serotinum, of the U.S.: the state flower of Oklahoma.

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mistletoe British  

/ ˈmɪsəlˌtəʊ /

noun

1. a Eurasian evergreen shrub, Viscum album, with leathery leaves, yellowish flowers, and waxy white berries: grows as a partial parasite on various trees: used as a Christmas decoration: family Viscaceae

2. any of several similar and related American plants in the families Loranthaceae or Viscaceae , esp Phoradendron flavescens

3. an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis cassytha, that grows in tropical America

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Etymology

Origin of mistletoe

before 1000; Middle English mistelto, apparently back formation from Old English misteltān ( mistel mistletoe, basil + tān twig), the -n being taken as plural ending; cognate with Old Norse mistilteinn

Example Sentences

While it might be a little silly, there’s a real potency to seeing all of those pairs smooching for a few seconds under a giant sprig of mistletoe.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

By December, she’s hanging mistletoe and sipping mulled wine.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts, said the Christmas number one race was "as important to the festive season as Christmas trees, mistletoe and mulled wine".

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2023

She sprinkles in specific holiday references: the Christmas tree, presents, Santa Claus, a stocking upon the fireplace, reindeer, sleigh bells, children singing and, of course, mistletoe.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2023

They had already started gathering, and half a grain sack of mistletoe was still hanging against the side of the cabin.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong