willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō 

1

: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals

2

: an object made of willow wood

especially : a cricket bat

willowlike

ˈwi-lō-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of willow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He will be laid to rest beside his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who passed in November 2023, under a willow tree at their home. —Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Jan. 2025

That was the case when Captain William Francis Lynch took a slip from a willow tree that grew by Napoleon Bonaparte’s original gravesite. —Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025

Following the service, Carter will be interred at the family home in a private ceremony, buried beneath a willow tree next to his late wife Rosalynn. —Stephen Fowler, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024

The couple’s gravestones will be by a willow tree at the edge of a pond that Jimmy helped dig. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing willow

• weeping willow
• willow herb

Kids Definition

willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwil-ō 

: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals

willowlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective