geranium
noun
ge·ra·ni·um
jə-ˈrā-nē-əm 
-nyəm
-nyəm
1
: any of a widely distributed genus (Geranium of the family Geraniaceae, the geranium family) of plants having regular usually white, pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands that alternate with the petals
called also cranesbill
2
3
: a vivid or strong red
Examples of geranium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the pretty roof vividly hued geraniums are arranged in an eclectic mix of pots and urns, set under rosebushes and citrus and olive trees.
—
Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2024
Charlevoix Boreal Forest Blend has notes of geranium and cedar.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
In Irises, the scientists discovered a red pigment called geranium lake, which was commonly used by van Gogh and other late-19th century painters.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Bright, medium deep ruby red; aromas of morel cherry, red licorice, geranium and hints of tar and dried rose petals.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
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Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2024
Charlevoix Boreal Forest Blend has notes of geranium and cedar.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
In Irises, the scientists discovered a red pigment called geranium lake, which was commonly used by van Gogh and other late-19th century painters.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Bright, medium deep ruby red; aromas of morel cherry, red licorice, geranium and hints of tar and dried rose petals.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for geranium
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Cite this Entry
“Geranium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geranium. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
geranium
noun
ge·ra·ni·um
jə-ˈrā-nē-əm
1
: any of a genus of herbs with usually deeply cut leaves and typically white, pink, or purple flowers in which glands alternate with the petals
2
: any of a genus of herbs native to southern Africa with showy flowers of usually red, pink, or white
Etymology
from Latin geranium "geranium," from Greek geranion, literally, "little crane," from geranos "crane"
Word Origin
Many of the plants in the geranium family have long, thin, pointed seedpods or fruits that look like the bills of birds. The ancient Greeks noticed this resemblance. They named the wild geranium geranion, literally meaning "little crane," for the long-legged, long-billed wading bird. English borrowed the Latin form geranium. English also borrowed the idea that the geranium's seedpod looks like a bird's bill. The common English name of the wild geranium is cranesbill.
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