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.—
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Examples of banyan in a Sentence
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The park was designed around the mature trees, including one of the largest banyan trees in the southeastern United States, Colette Satchell, the senior project coordinator said.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
This is the story of how Maui residents saved the Lahaina banyan tree after the deadliest wildfire in more than a century leveled their community.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 28 July 2024
Following Deadly Maui Wildfires The banyan tree still has much more healing to do.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
Among its more famous sites is Wat Mahathat, where a banyan tree has entwined a Buddha head within its roots.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025
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Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
This is the story of how Maui residents saved the Lahaina banyan tree after the deadliest wildfire in more than a century leveled their community.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 28 July 2024
Following Deadly Maui Wildfires The banyan tree still has much more healing to do.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
Among its more famous sites is Wat Mahathat, where a banyan tree has entwined a Buddha head within its roots.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banyan
Cite this Entry
“Banyan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banyan. Accessed 1 Jun. 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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