carnation
noun
car·na·tion
kär-ˈnā-shən 
1
: a plant of any of numerous often cultivated and usually double-flowered varieties or subspecies of an Old World pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) found in many color variations
2
: a moderate red
3
archaic
: the variable color of human flesh
Examples of carnation in a Sentence
The groom wore a carnation in his buttonhole.
Recent Examples on the Web
Medics rushed both men from the scene to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, but they couldn’t be saved.
Classmates and teachers from Bayside High School embraced and knelt to pray before the casket, which was topped with a portrait of Neo and covered with a massive bouquet of white carnations.
—
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
The goal of the competition is finding a replacement for the carnation — a non-native flower that has served as San Diego’s official city flower since 1964.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Published May 1, 1987 The new $240 million Sunshine Skyway bridge opened Thursday with a procession of cars, 2,000 yellow balloons and a memorial bouquet of 35 white carnations, one for each traveler who perished in the 1980 disaster.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Minutes before the ceremony, Noah's mother gave her a bouquet of blood-red carnations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 6 May 2025
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Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
The goal of the competition is finding a replacement for the carnation — a non-native flower that has served as San Diego’s official city flower since 1964.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Published May 1, 1987 The new $240 million Sunshine Skyway bridge opened Thursday with a procession of cars, 2,000 yellow balloons and a memorial bouquet of 35 white carnations, one for each traveler who perished in the 1980 disaster.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Minutes before the ceremony, Noah's mother gave her a bouquet of blood-red carnations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for carnation
Cite this Entry
“Carnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
carnation
noun
car·na·tion
kär-ˈnā-shən
1
: a moderate red
2
: any of the numerous cultivated herbs of the genus of pinks with reddish, pink, yellow, or white usually double flowers
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