centaurea

noun

cen·​tau·​rea sen-ˈtȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce centaurea (audio)
: any of a large genus (Centaurea) of composite herbs (such as bachelor's button) including several cultivated for their showy heads of tubular florets

Examples of centaurea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Globe artichokes tower on six-foot-tall spikes topped by lapis blue centaurea-like flowers. New York Times, 24 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Medieval Latin

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centaurea was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near centaurea

Cite this Entry

“Centaurea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centaurea. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on centaurea

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!