viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

: any of a genus (Viburnum of the family Adoxaceae) of widely distributed shrubs or small trees with simple leaves and white or sometimes pink cymose flowers

Examples of viburnum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phillips suggests including fruiting shrubs to feed birds, from choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) to native viburnums. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2024

Fertilizer Chinese snowball viburnum does well in soils with average fertility. —Rebecca Bull Reed, Southern Living, 10 June 2024

Because the blooms are sterile, this viburnum does not produce fruit. —Rebecca Bull Reed, Southern Living, 10 June 2024

The list of susceptible species is long and includes rhododendron, viburnum, redbud, holly, redtwig dogwood, fruit trees, camellia, lilac, St. Johnswort, crapemyrtle, rose, mountain laurel, arborvitae, cherrylaurel, and juniper. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a viburnum

First Known Use

circa 1731, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

: any of a genus of widely distributed shrubs or small trees that are related to the honeysuckles and have white or sometimes pink flowers in broad clusters

Medical Definition

viburnum

noun

vi·​bur·​num vī-ˈbər-nəm 

1

capitalized : a large genus of widely distributed shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) including several species whose dried bark has been used in folk medicine

2

: any plant of the genus Viburnum