viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm How to pronounce viburnum (audio)
: any of a genus (Viburnum) of widely distributed shrubs or small trees of the honeysuckle family with simple leaves and white or sometimes pink cymose flowers

Examples of viburnum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Upon planting viburnums, top off the soil with mulch. Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 Later spring blooming species such as some viburnums and early lilacs (Syringa species and hybrids) also tend to force fairly well. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 9 Feb. 2024 Arrow-wood viburnum (V. dentatum), Korean viburnum (V. carlesii), and Burkwood viburnum (V. x burkwoodii) bear flowers earlier in spring. Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 Native viburnums, including arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), dockmackie (Viburnum acerifolium)and downy arrowwood (Viburnum rafinesquianum), are popular pit-stop menu items. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 Pagano’s research has shown that native berries such as dogwoods, spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and viburnums naturally provide the high fat and calorie content that birds need. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 There is also an evergreen variety of viburnum called Alleghany. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2023 Most bloom in shades of pink and white, and many offer a pleasant fragrance ('Korean Spice' viburnum has a deliciously spicy and sweet smell). Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2023 The problem is that it’s also sold as Viburnum japonicum, macrophyllum or large-leaved viburnum. Dallas News, 22 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'viburnum.' 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

New Latin, from Latin, a viburnum

First Known Use

circa 1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of viburnum was circa 1731

Dictionary Entries Near viburnum

Cite this Entry

“Viburnum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viburnum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

viburnum

noun
vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm How to pronounce viburnum (audio)
: any of a genus of widely distributed shrubs or small trees that are related to the honeysuckles and have white or sometimes pink flowers in broad clusters

Medical Definition

viburnum

noun
vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm How to pronounce viburnum (audio)
1
capitalized : a large genus of widely distributed shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) including several species whose dried bark has been used in folk medicine
2
: any plant of the genus Viburnum

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