plural citrus or citruses
often attributive
: any of a group of often thorny trees and shrubs (Citrus and related genera) of the rue family grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (such as the orange or lemon) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh
also
: the fruit
Examples of citrus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are additional aromas of roasted squash, as well as fruity aromas of orchard fruit and hints of tropical fruit and citrus zest.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Create this easy fall citrus garland using felt and string.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
In fact, prior research has shown that chewing green leafy and cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, apples, and citrus fruit — all key parts of the Mediterranean diet — can promote healthy teeth and gums.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Don’t buy stone fruits and berries in the winter, or root vegetables and citrus in the summer, which are bogged down with jet lag, a higher price tag, a shorter shelf life, and inferior taste and quality.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for citrus
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Create this easy fall citrus garland using felt and string.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
In fact, prior research has shown that chewing green leafy and cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, apples, and citrus fruit — all key parts of the Mediterranean diet — can promote healthy teeth and gums.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Don’t buy stone fruits and berries in the winter, or root vegetables and citrus in the summer, which are bogged down with jet lag, a higher price tag, a shorter shelf life, and inferior taste and quality.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for citrus
Cite this Entry
“Citrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citrus. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citrus
noun
cit·rus
ˈsi-trəs 
plural citrus or citruses
: any of a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs (as the orange, grapefruit, or lemon) grown in warm regions for their fruits
also
: the fruit of a citrus
citrus
adjective
Medical Definition
citrus
noun
cit·rus
ˈsi-trəs
often attributive
1
capitalized
: a genus of often thorny trees and shrubs of the rue family (Rutaceae) grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (as the orange, lemon, lime, or mandarin) with firm usually thick rind and pulpy flesh
2
plural citruses or citrus
: any plant or fruit of the genus Citrus or a related genus
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