peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē How to pronounce peony (audio)
plural peonies
1
: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers
2
: the flower of a peony

Examples of peony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The indoor peony displays exhibit dozens of exquisite varieties, and there are plenty of cut and potted blooms to take home. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Sweeney's bouquets included roses (of course), peonies, snapdragons, and more. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024 The garden itself is a result of a bet between Marie-Antoinette and the Count of Artois (the French queen challenged her brother-in-law to build the space in less than three months), but now features rows of roses, irises, clematis, and peonies. Laura Hampson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2024 There are species peonies, too, and other treasures. Margaret Roach, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Cozy Cashmere This hand-poured soy candle reflects notes of plum, peony, patchouli, and leather. People Staff, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Her selections were weighed heavily toward plants that would have been popular when the mansion was built – irises, peonies, camellias, hydrangeas, crape myrtle trees. Emily Hedrick, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024 Residents hope the war ends and tensions ease by spring, when the village holds its annual festival welcoming the short bloom of the wild peony, a vibrant violet flower rare in the Middle East and only found in Israel on one mountain at the edge of the village. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2024 For my birthday, the scent is hydrangea, peony, and jasmine. Nena Farrell, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English piony, from Anglo-French peonie, pioiné, from Latin paeonia, from Greek paiōnia, from Paiōn Paeon, physician of the gods

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peony was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near peony

Cite this Entry

“Peony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peony. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peony

noun
pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē How to pronounce peony (audio)
plural peonies
: any of a genus of plants that are widely grown for their large red, pink, or white flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on peony

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