banyan

noun

ban·​yan ˈban-yən 

-ˌyan

plural banyans

: a large fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) native to India and Pakistan that starts as an epiphyte and has spreading branches which send out aerial roots that grow down to the ground and form secondary trunks around the host tree

The banyan kills the host tree by preventing its trunk from growing. After the host dies, the banyan continues to grow. Eventually, one tree appears to be an entire forest.

—National Geographic World

Illustration of banyan

Examples of banyan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The courtyard is anchored by a lush banyan tree, and a resplendent Art Deco dining room and bar encircle the boisterous patrons outdoors. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025

At the heart of it all is a magnificent, decades-old banyan tree. —Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 4 June 2025

The park was designed around the mature trees, including one of the largest banyan trees in the southeastern United States, Colette Satchell, the senior project coordinator said. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025

This is the story of how Maui residents saved the Lahaina banyan tree after the deadliest wildfire in more than a century leveled their community. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 28 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier banyan Gujarati trader, from Portuguese banean, probably from Tamil vāniyan trader, from Sanskrit vāṇija; from a tree of the species in Iran under which such traders conducted business

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for banyan

• anion
• canyon
• carbanion
• companion

Kids Definition

banyan

noun

ban·​yan ˈban-yən 

: a large East Indian tree with branches that send out roots which grow downward into the ground and form new supporting trunks