tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈtü-ləp 

ˈtyü-

: any of a genus (Tulipa) of Eurasian bulbous herbs of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and are widely grown for their showy flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Examples of tulip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Later home felt everywhere, radiant waters, thistles, greenest hilltops dotted with sheep, masses of tulips and geese, wandering William’s intricate paths, pausing at every turn, life stretching ahead, mountains of bliss and searing sorrow for years to come. —Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 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

The endless rows of tulips made for a spectacular visual captured by Alice Brooks’ cinematography. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tulipa, from Turkish tülbent turban — more at turban

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tulip

• cottage tulip
• Darwin tulip
• tulip poplar
• tulip tree

Kids Definition

tulip

noun

tu·​lip ˈt(y)ü-ləp 

: any of a genus of Eurasian herbs that grow from bulbs, have large lance-shaped leaves, are related to the lilies, and are widely grown for their showy cup-shaped flowers

also : the flower or bulb of a tulip

Etymology

from scientific Latin tulipa "the tulip," from Turkish tülbent "tulip," literally "turban"

Word Origin

We often think of the tulip as a Dutch flower. The Dutch certainly do grow many tulips, but they first got the plant from Turkey. The Turkish word for the tulip was tülbent, meaning literally "turban." Perhaps it was the flower's shape that reminded the Turks of a turban. Or perhaps it was the bright colors and velvety petals. In any case, scientists picking a universal word for the flower chose the scientific Latin tulipa, taken from the Turkish word. The word came into English from the scientific Latin and was spelled tulip.