Illustration of gladiolus
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gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs 
plural gladioli
ˌgla-dē-ˈō-(ˌ)lē
-ˌlī
-ˌlī
1
or plural gladiolus also gladioluses
: any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms
2
: the large middle portion of the sternum
Examples of gladiolus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This includes tender perennials like dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, agapanthus, and elephant ears.
Plants in Fluctuating Temperatures
In regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, especially in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8, soil can shift and expose roots to damage.
—
Macie Stump, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Growers in chilly climates need to dig up tender bulbs, like dahlias, gladiolus, and ranunculus, in fall and overwinter the bulbs indoors to keep these plants safe from severe cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Here's How to Overwinter Them 06 of 10 Gladiolus
Gladiolus can be left in the garden through winter in Zones 8–11, but gladiolus corms need to be overwintered indoors in colder areas.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
Garden roses and gladiolus close out the list as other flowers perfect to present a mom on the special day celebrating her.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
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Macie Stump, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Growers in chilly climates need to dig up tender bulbs, like dahlias, gladiolus, and ranunculus, in fall and overwinter the bulbs indoors to keep these plants safe from severe cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Here's How to Overwinter Them 06 of 10 Gladiolus
Gladiolus can be left in the garden through winter in Zones 8–11, but gladiolus corms need to be overwintered indoors in colder areas.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
Garden roses and gladiolus close out the list as other flowers perfect to present a mom on the special day celebrating her.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for gladiolus
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Dictionary Entries Near gladiolus
Cite this Entry
“Gladiolus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiolus. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs
plural gladioli
-ˈō-(ˌ)lē
-ˈō-ˌlī
or gladiolus also gladioluses
: any of a genus of chiefly African plants related to the irises and having erect sword-shaped leaves and stalks of brilliantly colored flowers
Etymology
from Latin gladiolus, literally, "little sword," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiator
Medical Definition
gladiolus
noun
glad·i·o·lus
ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs
: the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process
called also mesosternum
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