rhododendron

[ roh-duh-den-druhn ]

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

/ ˌrəʊdəˈdɛndrən /

noun

1. See azalea
   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 Also called (US)rosebay See also azalea

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhododendron¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhododendron¹

C17: from Latin: oleander, from Greek, from rhodon rose + dendron tree

Example Sentences

As a child, she preferred doing outside chores at her family’s Northern Virginia house and garden, which had beautiful rhododendrons.

From Washington Post

At a slow walk he went noiselessly through the deep sand around the clump of rhododendron.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of the snow that evening we had a cheery bonfire of juniper, willow and rhododendron.

From Project Gutenberg

There isn't a finer tulipifera rhododendron in the world than the one out by the back veranda.

From Project Gutenberg

Thrusting aside shrubs and creepers, he reached for her as he had reached to pluck the rhododendron.

From Project Gutenberg

The laurel blossoms waved pink centers and the rhododendron nodded at her.

From Project Gutenberg