salvia

American

[sal-vee-uh] / ˈsæl vi ə /

noun

any plant of the genus Salvia, comprising the sages, having opposite leaves and whorled flowers.

salvia British

/ ˈsælvɪə /

noun

any herbaceous plant or small shrub of the genus Salvia, such as the sage, grown for their medicinal or culinary properties or for ornament: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of salvia

1835–45; < New Latin, Latin: sage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although Binns must occasionally replace a borderline-hardy Salvia ‘Amistad,’ she does so for the sake of the Anna’s Hummingbirds that swarm it in summer.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2022

Two teeth showed evidence of sclareolide, a compound found in Salvia plants that has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is currently used as an aroma fixative in the perfume industry.

From Science Magazine • May 20, 2022

Behind the house, heleniums, Salvia Amistad and dahlias bring late summer color to the yew border.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2021

“It’s hard to imagine Romney saying the kinds of things Trump has said regarding interventionism and politics in general,” said Mr. Salvia.

From Washington Times • Nov. 23, 2016

More and more we are getting away from the cold, stiff planting of Canna, Coleus, and Salvia.

From Beautiful Gardens in America by Shelton, Louise

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023