Illustration of magnolia
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə 
: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring
Examples of magnolia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The tree, part of a group of magnolias near the South Portico, was determined to be a safety threat, according to a team of experts.
—
Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
This mood-boosting scent was inspired by the eponymous street in the heart of London and features an array of garden flowers, including rose, magnolia, and linden blossom.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
There are many species of magnolia—from 80-foot-tall forest trees to small, graceful specimen trees under 10 feet for the home landscape—along with countless hybrids of varying size, habit, and flower color.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
The Louisiana State Arboretum, part of the state park, is a forest of beeches, maples, magnolias, and other trees.
—Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
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Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
This mood-boosting scent was inspired by the eponymous street in the heart of London and features an array of garden flowers, including rose, magnolia, and linden blossom.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
There are many species of magnolia—from 80-foot-tall forest trees to small, graceful specimen trees under 10 feet for the home landscape—along with countless hybrids of varying size, habit, and flower color.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
The Louisiana State Arboretum, part of the state park, is a forest of beeches, maples, magnolias, and other trees.
—Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magnolia
Cite this Entry
“Magnolia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnolia. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə
: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring
Medical Definition
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə
1
capitalized
: a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine
2
a
: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia
b
: the dried bark of a magnolia
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