any plant, shrub, or tree belonging to the genus Cassia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and large clusters of flowers.
any of various cathartic drugs consisting of the dried leaflets of certain of these plants, as one drug Alexandrian senna derived from C. acutifolia, or another Tinnevelly senna derived from C. angustifolia.
any of various tropical plants of the leguminous genus Cassia , esp C. angustifolia ( Arabian senna ) and C. acutifolia ( Alexandrian senna ), having typically yellow flowers and long pods
the dried leaflets of any of these plants, used as a cathartic and laxative
the dried fruits of any of these plants, used as a cathartic and laxative
1535–45; < New Latin < Arabic sanā
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In fact, we do not recommend it since the senna it contains is a harsh laxative unsuitable for regular use.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2023
Other recent blooms include a native grass called needle grama, brittle creosote, desert senna, Acton encelia or brittlebush, and big galleta grass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2021
They include various asclepias, tithonia, giant coneflower and the Maryland wild senna, the last a native plant deserving much more garden use.
From Washington Post ● May 28, 2019
Flat Tummy Co’s tea contains senna, a laxative, which Scherr said could help with bloating but could also lead to dependence on laxatives.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 29, 2018
An extensive transit trade is carried on with Egypt and interior Africa, in gold dust, ostrich feathers and senna.
From Alden's Handy Atlas of the World by Alden, John B.
Daniel Senna, a 31-year-old patient at the Maugeri Hospital, transmits his pain level on a screen attached to the robot's chest.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Zanardi died on 1 May, 32 years to the day after the loss of another motorsport icon, Ayrton Senna, a former on-track rival.
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
Donnelly said Ayrton Senna was there when the crash happened.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
On Tuesday, she’ll discuss her work at a Vroman’s Bookstore event at Pasadena Presbyterian Church with Danzy Senna, acclaimed author of “Colored Television” and other novels.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026
I saw a director, the Muslim-Indian director, capture the smoking, tragic charisma of Ayrton Senna.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
