plural crocuses
1
a
plural also crocus or croci
ˈkrō-ˌkē 
-ˌkī,
-ˌsī
: any of a genus (Crocus) of herbs of the iris family developing from corms and having solitary long-tubed flowers and slender linear leaves
b
2
: a dark red ferric oxide used for polishing metals
Did you know?
A low-growing plant with a corm, the crocus belongs to the iris family. There are about 75 species of crocus. They are native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean and are widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall. The spring-flowering sorts have a floral tube so long that the ovary is below ground, sheltered from climatic changes. Saffron comes from a species of crocus that is native to western Asia. The alpine crocus is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus.
Examples of crocus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The best bulbs for early spring include crocus (Crocus), glory of the snow (Chionodoxa), squill (Scilla sibirica), and grape hyacinth (Muscari).
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024
Keep in mind that early blooming bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses, and early flowering daffodils should be planted early in fall, starting by the second half of September.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
For sunny spots, consider crocus, Muscari (grape hyacinths), hyacinths, tulips, and ornamental onions.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
The cinematographer, Dion Beebe, makes New York City a swollen crocus.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crocus 
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.
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024
Keep in mind that early blooming bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses, and early flowering daffodils should be planted early in fall, starting by the second half of September.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
For sunny spots, consider crocus, Muscari (grape hyacinths), hyacinths, tulips, and ornamental onions.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
The cinematographer, Dion Beebe, makes New York City a swollen crocus.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crocus
Dictionary Entries Near crocus
Cite this Entry
“Crocus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crocus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
crocus
noun
cro·cus
ˈkrō-kəs
plural crocuses
1
plural also crocus or croci
-ˌkē, -ˌkī, -ˌsī
: any of a large genus (Crocus) of perennial herbs of the iris family (Iridaceae)
: any of a large genus (Crocus) of perennial herbs of the iris family (Iridaceae)
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share