purpleheart

1 of 2

noun (1)

pur·​ple·​heart ˈpər-pəl-ˌhärt How to pronounce purpleheart (audio)
: a strong durable purplish wood that is obtained from various leguminous trees (genus Peltogyne) of Central and South America
also : a tree producing such wood

Purple Heart

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action

Examples of purpleheart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some of my favorite get-loud strikers include purpleheart, hickory, and birch. Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020 Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others). Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017
Noun
Rose is a former U.S. Army officer who earned a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 Then, shortly before Veterans Day, Peckham had her dad’s Purple Heart back again. Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for purpleheart 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1738, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purpleheart was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near purpleheart

purple haw

purpleheart

Purple Heart

Cite this Entry

“Purpleheart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpleheart. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Purple Heart

noun
: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!