Illustration of rhododendron
rhododendron
noun
rho·do·den·dron
ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 
: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers
especially
: one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea
Examples of rhododendron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, bleeding heart and brunnera followed by azaleas and rhododendrons, Virginia sweetspire, hostas, astilbe, and finally tuberous begonias.
—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
An evergreen, flowering shrub, rhododendrons offer the gardener a wide range of flower colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 June 2026
Many of his early rhododendron hybrids were sadly lost when the house was let during the Second World War, but the family’s stewardship continued.
—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
There are squirrels and pheasants and purple rhododendrons in bloom.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhododendron
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Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
An evergreen, flowering shrub, rhododendrons offer the gardener a wide range of flower colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 June 2026
Many of his early rhododendron hybrids were sadly lost when the house was let during the Second World War, but the family’s stewardship continued.
—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
There are squirrels and pheasants and purple rhododendrons in bloom.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhododendron
Cite this Entry
“Rhododendron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhododendron. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rhododendron
noun
rho·do·den·dron
ˌrōd-ə-ˈden-drən
: any of a genus of trees and shrubs of the heath family that often have leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of yellow, white, pink, red, or purple flowers
Etymology
from scientific Latin rhododendron "rhododendron," derived from Greek rhodon "rose" and Greek dendron "tree"
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