peony

noun

pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē How to pronounce peony (audio)
plural peonies
1
: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers
2
: the flower of a peony

Examples of peony 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.
The Pixel 9 is available in four colors, peony, wintergreen, porcelain and obsidian. — David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Featuring addicting notes of bergamot, lychee, Turkish rose, lily of the valley and peony, this ensemble is complemented by the creamy and powdery finish of vanilla, musk and cashmere. — Denise Primbet, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025 Among the key notes from the original fragrance, jasmine, blood orange, golden amber, red peony, vanilla musk and cedarwood oil all feature in the layers of the perfume. — Julia Teti, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025 April 26 - June 15: Adelman Peony Gardens’ Open House (Salem, OR) See fields of pom-pom-like peonies ranging from pure white to deep burgundy with a visit to Adelman’s in Salem, Oregon, about 40 miles southwest of Portland. — Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peony

Word History

Etymology

Middle English piony, from Anglo-French peonie, pioiné, from Latin paeonia, from Greek paiōnia, from Paiōn Paeon, physician of the gods

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peony was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing peony

Browse Nearby Words

peonize
peony
peony-flowered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peony. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

peony

noun
pe·​o·​ny ˈpē-ə-nē How to pronounce peony (audio)
plural peonies
: any of a genus of plants that are widely grown for their large red, pink, or white flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on peony

Nglish: Translation of peony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peony

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