willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce willow (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals
2
: an object made of willow wood
especially : a cricket bat
willowlike adjective

Examples of willow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Then the arms and legs bud out like willow catkins and the spine begins to straighten. Lori Vogt Rosone, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Allergenic trees include alder, birch, cedar, horse chestnut, oak poplar and willow. Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024 Over the past decade, the cottonwoods and willows that were planted have grown into a forest that teems with wildlife. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 The researchers assessed riparian habitat to study the impacts of elk browsing on willow growth in northern parts of Yellowstone. Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024 Cleland worked with Anderson Landscaping to add more than a dozen ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypresses, desert willows, manzanita ‘Dr Hurd’, mountain mahogany, pink and white oleanders, and New Mexican desert olive in addition to three purpleleaf plum trees. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024 Cottonwoods and seep willows sprouted in areas that were once underwater. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 This led to the loss of willow, cottonwood and aspen trees, streambank erosion, and the overall degradation of the ecosystem. Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2023 The brand’s resulting body care products, High Roller and Slather, both work to exfoliate and smooth the skin, targeting ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris (among other texture issues) respectively with ingredients like glycolic acid, willow bark extract, and retinol. Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willow.' 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 wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near willow

Cite this Entry

“Willow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willow. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

willow

noun
wil·​low ˈwil-ō How to pronounce willow (audio)
: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals
willowlike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on willow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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