hyacinth

noun

hy·​a·​cinth ˈhī-ə-(ˌ)sin(t)th 

-sən(t)th

1

a

: a precious stone of the ancients sometimes held to be the sapphire

b

: a gem zircon or hessonite

2

a

: a plant of the ancients held to be a lily, iris, larkspur, or gladiolus

b

: a bulbous perennial herb (Hyacinthus orientalis) of the asparagus family that is native to the Mediterranean region but is widely grown for its dense spikes of fragrant flowers compare grape hyacinth, water hyacinth

3

: a light violet to moderate purple

hyacinthine

ˌhī-ə-ˈsin(t)-thən 

adjective

Illustration of hyacinth

• hyacinth 2b

Examples of hyacinth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike other bulbs that can be forced for early indoor color, like tulips and hyacinths, paperwhites don’t have a chilling period prerequisite. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

The 11-night Holland River sailing stops in Keukenhof, where travelers can spend the entire day exploring 70 acres of lush parkland, lakes, and the world’s largest flower gardens (more than 7 million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, are planted here each year). —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Dec. 2024

Table arrangements by florist Milli Proust drew inspiration from the Persian haft-sin, incorporating elements like hyacinths, wheatgrass, and candles. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Each card has a conversation starter question on the back, picked with that specific flower’s meaning in mind (forget me-not for remembrance, magnolia for wisdom, hyacinth for playfulness). —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin hyacinthus, a precious stone, a flowering plant, from Greek hyakinthos

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hyacinth

• grape hyacinth
• water hyacinth
• wild hyacinth

Kids Definition

hyacinth

noun

hy·​a·​cinth ˈhī-ə-(ˌ)sin(t)th 

1

: a red or brownish gem

2

: a common garden plant that grows from a bulb, is related to the lilies, and is widely grown for its showy dense spikes of fragrant bell-shaped flowers compare grape hyacinth, water hyacinth