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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of rhododendron

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

Example Sentences

He pushed the pedals with his feet, rode the tricycle into a bush, got off, and left it there, mashing the rhododendron.

From Literature

“I appreciate that you are no squeamish child. But if you do not give me a bit more space to breathe, I will have you go sit among the rhododendrons.”

From Literature

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

Some are grazed inappropriately, the survey said, and many are affected by rhododendrons that smother the forest floor in a dense shade that native species cannot tolerate.

From BBC