star-of-Bethlehem

1 of 2

noun

star-of-Beth·​le·​hem -ˈbeth-li-ˌhem How to pronounce star-of-Bethlehem (audio)
-lē-(h)əm
: any of various Old World bulbous herbs (genus Ornithogalum) of the asparagus family with basal leaves resembling grass
especially : one (O. umbellatum) with white star-shaped flowers that is naturalized in the eastern U.S.

star of Bethlehem

2 of 2

noun phrase

: a star which according to Christian tradition guided the Magi to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem

Examples of star-of-Bethlehem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun phrase
Then came three children dressed as Joseph, Mary and the star of Bethlehem. Jaír F. Coll Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined above

Noun Phrase

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of star-of-Bethlehem was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near star-of-Bethlehem

starny

star-of-Bethlehem

star of Bethlehem

Cite this Entry

“Star-of-Bethlehem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star-of-Bethlehem. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on star-of-Bethlehem

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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