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

Part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, the lake is known for its thriving rookery and towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. —USA Today, 11 June 2025

There’s a massive cypress tree trunk, said to be 2,000 years old, that was moved from elsewhere in Florida to be part of the original McKee Jungle Garden in the 1930s. —Bonnie Gross, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025

Photo : Open Homes Photography A stone staircase leads down to an outdoor dining area flanked by massive cypress trees. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 May 2025

Beverly Nguyen, who favors the green tea, cypress, and sandalwood scents. —Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025

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