Illustration of mistletoe
mistletoe
noun
mis·tle·toe
ˈmi-səl-ˌtō 
chiefly British ˈmi-zəl-
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries
broadly
: any of various plants of the sandalwood family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe
Examples of mistletoe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The matching glassware and candlesticks created a cozy feel, while the ribbons and mistletoe that hung from the chandelier tied the whole look together.
—
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
In some later versions of the story, Frigg's tears over her son's death become mistletoe berries, symbolizing her love.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Leafy mistletoes are considered hemiparasites.
—Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 17 Dec. 2025
In 2019, 480 couples there kissed under the mistletoe at an Anheuser-Busch event.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistletoe
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Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
In some later versions of the story, Frigg's tears over her son's death become mistletoe berries, symbolizing her love.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Leafy mistletoes are considered hemiparasites.
—Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 17 Dec. 2025
In 2019, 480 couples there kissed under the mistletoe at an Anheuser-Busch event.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistletoe
Cite this Entry
“Mistletoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistletoe. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mistletoe
noun
mis·tle·toe
ˈmis-əl-ˌtō
: a European plant with yellowish flowers and waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees
also
: any of various related plants that resemble the mistletoe
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