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• willow
  willow

  noun

  any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, characterized by narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dense catkins bearing small flowers, many species having tough, pliable twigs or branches used for wickerwork, etc.
• Willow
  Willow

  noun

  a small town in S Alaska, about 113 km (70 miles) northwest of Anchorage: chosen as the site of the projected new state capital in 1976, a plan which never came to fruition. Pop: 1658 (2000)

willow

American  

[wil-oh] / ˈwɪl oʊ /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, characterized by narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dense catkins bearing small flowers, many species having tough, pliable twigs or branches used for wickerwork, etc.

2. the wood of any of these trees.

3. Informal. something, especially a cricket bat, made of willow wood.

4. Also called willower, willy.  a machine consisting essentially of a cylinder armed with spikes revolving within a spiked casing, for opening and cleaning cotton or other fiber.

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verb (used with object)

1. to treat (textile fibers) with a willow.

willow ¹ British  

/ ˈwɪləʊ /

noun

1. any of numerous salicaceous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix, such as the weeping willow and osiers of N temperate regions, which have graceful flexible branches, flowers in catkins, and feathery seeds

2. the whitish wood of certain of these trees

3. something made of willow wood, such as a cricket or baseball bat

4. a machine having a system of revolving spikes for opening and cleaning raw textile fibres

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Willow ² British  

noun

1. a small town in S Alaska, about 113 km (70 miles) northwest of Anchorage: chosen as the site of the projected new state capital in 1976, a plan which never came to fruition. Pop: 1658 (2000)

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Other Word Forms

• willowish
  adjective
• willowlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of willow

First recorded before 900; Middle English wilwe, variant of wilghe, Old English welig; cognate with Old Saxon wilgia, Dutch wilg, Low German wilge

Explanation

A willow is a tree with long, flexible branches and very small leaves. If you're looking for a picnic spot, the wide, green canopy of a willow provides great shade on a hot summer day. Most willow trees grow near water or in damp locations, as their roots soak up great quantities of moisture and can be used to protect the banks of rivers and streams from erosion. Willow branches are also commonly woven together to make baskets. A "weeping willow" has distinctive, graceful branches that curve down toward the ground.

Example Sentences

By late afternoon, the final miles carry me east toward the Colorado River, where it meanders past willow and cottonwood.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The original study reported a 1,500% surge in willow crown volume after wolves returned.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

"There's not really enough willow to go round," added Stewart.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have previously suggested bamboo could be used instead of willow to make bats.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Duuzuu, still on Connor’s shoulder, chomped on a willow leaf as we walked.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive