paloverde

noun

pal·​o·​ver·​de ˌpa-lō-ˈver-(ˌ)dā How to pronounce paloverde (audio)
ˌpä-,
-ˈvər- How to pronounce paloverde (audio)
1
: any of several small spiny trees or shrubs (genus Parkinsonia synonym Cercidium) of the legume family that have greenish branches and are found chiefly in dry regions of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico
2
: jerusalem thorn

Examples of paloverde 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.
After a short traipse through sunny rangeland, the route makes a mild uphill climb to where views of distant mountain ranges and peaks appear over acres of paloverde trees and enormous saguaro cactuses. — Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2021 Scattered stands of paloverde trees and saguaro cactus provide spots of shade throughout the otherwise open-to-the-sky hike. — Mare Czinar, azcentral, 27 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, literally, green tree

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paloverde was in 1829

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Cite this Entry

“Paloverde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paloverde. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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