: 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
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With a composition of magnolia, sandalwood, and violet at its heart, alongside ambrette, cedarwood, and amber, this is a genderless, truly layerable aroma.—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025 Perfumer Céline Barel blended Roman chamomile and cardamom with green magnolia leaf and light geranium to a result that’s more akin to a floral tea blend than a giftable bouquet.—Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Feb. 2025 Head to Deer Lake State Park to enjoy an afternoon among Southern magnolias, woody goldenrods, golden asters, and scrub oaks.—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025 Those notes include Chinese magnolia, rose centifolia, night blooming jasmine, exotic fruits, creamy pistachio, rhubarb, patchouli and vetiver.—James Manso, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for magnolia
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Pierre Magnol †1715 French botanist
: 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
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
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