Illustration of magnolia
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə 
: any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usually appearing in early spring
Examples of magnolia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The blade is made from high-carbon 440 stainless steel, the handle is magnolia, and the bolster is crafted from natural horn.
—
Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Typically, magnolias bloom in spring, and some varieties rebloom in summer and fall, allowing their captivating display to last for months.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Crape myrtle trees, pentas (a tropical plant with small red flowers), tulip tree, yellow bells and magnolia are just some of the plants that can be seen throughout.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The resort town is often lauded for its world-class golf and accommodations, but its 12 miles of tawny sands and the quiet oak- and magnolia-lined streets that surround them are every bit as magical.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
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Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Typically, magnolias bloom in spring, and some varieties rebloom in summer and fall, allowing their captivating display to last for months.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Crape myrtle trees, pentas (a tropical plant with small red flowers), tulip tree, yellow bells and magnolia are just some of the plants that can be seen throughout.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The resort town is often lauded for its world-class golf and accommodations, but its 12 miles of tawny sands and the quiet oak- and magnolia-lined streets that surround them are every bit as magical.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magnolia
Cite this Entry
“Magnolia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnolia. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə
: any of a genus of North American and Asian trees or tall shrubs having usually showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers that appear before or sometimes with the leaves in the spring
Medical Definition
magnolia
noun
mag·no·lia
mag-ˈnōl-yə
1
capitalized
: a genus (family Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family) of North American and Asian shrubs and trees including some whose bark has been used especially as a bitter tonic and diaphoretic in folk medicine
2
a
: any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia
b
: the dried bark of a magnolia
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