rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers

especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea

Illustration of rhododendron

Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the park’s higher elevations, peregrine falcons soar over 6,000-plus-foot Appalachian peaks, and blooming rhododendrons decorate mountaintop balds. —Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 6 June 2025

As broadleaf evergreens, rhododendrons have developed a waxy coat on their leaves to help prevent water loss. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025

Not private enough to give up federal funding, whether for student tuition fees, quadrangle rhododendrons, wind tunnels, or NMR Spectrometers. —Amity Shlaes, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025

This growing network of trails goes through rhododendron forests and past monasteries and villages, giving travelers a closer look at places only accessible on foot. —Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (linnaeus), going back to Latin, "oleander, a plant of the Black Sea region described by Pliny whose honey is toxic (probably Rhododendron ponticum)," borrowed from Greek rhodódendron, from rhodo- rhodo- + déndron "tree" — more at dendro-

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rhododendron

• elepidote rhododendron
• lepidote rhododendron
• rosebay rhododendron

Rhymes for rhododendron

• endrin

Kids Definition

rhododendron

noun

rho·​do·​den·​dron ˌrōd-ə-ˈden-drən 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs of the heath family that often have leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of yellow, white, pink, red, or purple flowers

Etymology

from scientific Latin rhododendron "rhododendron," derived from Greek rhodon "rose" and Greek dendron "tree"