cypress

1 of 2

noun (1)

cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

1

a(1)

: any of a genus (Cupressus of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling scales

(2)

: any of several coniferous trees of the cypress family or the bald cypress family

especially : bald cypress sense 1

b

: the wood of a cypress tree

2

: branches of cypress used as a symbol of mourning

cypress

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a silk or cotton usually black gauze formerly used for mourning

Examples of cypress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every single morning the four of us were the first people to arrive at the Crillon's pool, pitched on the side of a hill with cypress trees. —Jo Rodgers, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024

The masculine scent has salty-mineral wood notes, blended with citrus and Hinoki, a Japanese cypress. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Additionally, the burial will no longer involve the use of three coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak, marking a significant departure from tradition in favor of simplicity. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

This candle’s notes of cedar, cypress, and vetiver are for bringing the outdoors in, a forest bathing technique for the city-dweller. —Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cipres, from Anglo-French ciprès, from Latin cyparissus, from Greek kyparissos

Noun (2)

Middle English ciprus, cipres, from Cyprus, Mediterranean island

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cypress

• bald cypress
• cypress vine
• Monterey cypress
• summer cypress

Kids Definition

cypress

noun

cy·​press

ˈsī-prəs

1

: any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs that are related to the pines and have overlapping scalelike leaves

2

: bald cypress

3

: the wood of a cypress tree

Geographical Definition

Cypress

geographical name

Cy·​press ˈsī-prəs 

city in southwestern California southeast of Los Angeles population 47,802