pur·ple·heart
ˈpər-pəl-ˌhärt 
: 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
: 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
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
John Ismay, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
Sergeant Hop was posthumously awarded a number of medals, including a Purple Heart.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purpleheart
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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
The move returns the Army base in North Carolina to being called Fort Bragg, but the name will now honor an enlisted Army soldier named Roland L. Bragg, who according to a Pentagon statement was awarded a Silver Star and the Purple Heart for combat during World War II.
—John Ismay, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
Sergeant Hop was posthumously awarded a number of medals, including a Purple Heart.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purpleheart
Cite this Entry
“Purpleheart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpleheart. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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