Illustration of banyan
plural banyans
: a large fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) native to India and Pakistan that starts as an epiphyte and has spreading branches which send out aerial roots that grow down to the ground and form secondary trunks around the host tree
The banyan kills the host tree by preventing its trunk from growing. After the host dies, the banyan continues to grow. Eventually, one tree appears to be an entire forest.—
National Geographic World
National Geographic World
Examples of banyan in a Sentence
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Co-owners Will Thompson and Chef Carey Hynes turned their outdoor pandemic pop-up in Little River into a full-time reality, keeping the gorgeous space for dining under the giant banyan tree but adding a retro-Florida indoor dining room as well.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Designed by renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley, these 20 acres of palm and banyan trees and exotic brightly colored flowers, dotted with secluded villa retreats, are among the most striking on the island.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
There will still be an outdoor brick courtyard replete with that majestic banyan tree and full bar, but diners can now enjoy Sunny’s rain-or-shine in the indoor mid-century modern space.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 30 Sep. 2024
The 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining area is still centered around the banyan tree, and remains simple, but slightly updated thanks to new plush upholstery and still-white tablecloths.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Designed by renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley, these 20 acres of palm and banyan trees and exotic brightly colored flowers, dotted with secluded villa retreats, are among the most striking on the island.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
There will still be an outdoor brick courtyard replete with that majestic banyan tree and full bar, but diners can now enjoy Sunny’s rain-or-shine in the indoor mid-century modern space.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 30 Sep. 2024
The 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining area is still centered around the banyan tree, and remains simple, but slightly updated thanks to new plush upholstery and still-white tablecloths.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for banyan
Dictionary Entries Near banyan
Cite this Entry
“Banyan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banyan. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
banyan
noun
ban·yan
ˈban-yən 
: a large East Indian tree with branches that send out roots which grow downward into the ground and form new supporting trunks
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