rhododendron

American  

[roh-duh-den-druhn] / ˌroʊ dəˈdɛn drən /

noun

1. any evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree belonging to the genus Rhododendron, of the heath family, having rounded clusters of showy, pink, purple, or white flowers and oval or oblong leaves.

---

rhododendron British  

/ ˌrəʊdəˈdɛndrən /

noun

1. Also called (US): rosebay.  any ericaceous shrub of the genus Rhododendron , native to S Asia but widely cultivated in N temperate regions. They are mostly evergreen and have clusters of showy red, purple, pink, or white flowers See also azalea

---

Etymology

Origin of rhododendron

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek rhodódendron ( rhódo- rhodo- + déndron tree)

Example Sentences

"Cherry blossoms there are in flower now with the main spectacular rhododendron display to follow."

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Here’s that bird again, launching from the rhododendron, banging his forehead on my living room window.

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2025

Just outside her window, she could see hot-pink rhododendron flowers and the stately redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2025

He sauntered, stopped to forage or bedded down for a nap mostly within an undulating square mile of forest full of towering hemlock and tangled rhododendron.

From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2023

The rhododendron leaves grew wide and green and when their color was at its deepest and waxiest, they suddenly surrendered it and lapsed into limp yellow hearts.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison