Illustration of rhododendron
rhododendron
noun
rho·do·den·dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən 
: any of a genus (Rhododendron) of widely cultivated shrubs and trees of the heath family with alternate leaves and showy flowers
especially : one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished from a deciduous azalea
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Late spring in Bhutan features a spectacular bloom of rhododendron. 
Johanna Read, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 There, a species of rhododendron flowers produce a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin, The Guardian shared. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Some plants, such as rhododendron shrubs and hemlock trees, prefer relatively acidic soil and will be hampered by alkaline soil, which is common in the Chicago area. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 The region’s expansive chestnut, beech, and rhododendron forests also play home to a fascinating collection of native Georgian fauna, with brown bears, Eurasian lynx, and Caucasian salamanders all on display. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 July 2022 What’s the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron? Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 29 June 2022 Vegetables, apples, pears and berries and some landscape plants such as rhododendron, azaleas and lilac may be killed or stunted if grown in close proximity to black walnut roots or within the tree’s drip line (i.e., under the tree’s canopy). oregonlive, 9 July 2022 The rhododendron family of plants included showy flowers in yellows, purples, pale pinks, and snowy whites pop against deep green shiny leaves. Arricca Sansone, Country Living, 24 June 2022 Even the matchbooks were lovely, a bright neon red ornamented with a rhododendron blossom. Joy Callaway, WSJ, 2 June 2022 See More
Johanna Read, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 There, a species of rhododendron flowers produce a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin, The Guardian shared. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Some plants, such as rhododendron shrubs and hemlock trees, prefer relatively acidic soil and will be hampered by alkaline soil, which is common in the Chicago area. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 The region’s expansive chestnut, beech, and rhododendron forests also play home to a fascinating collection of native Georgian fauna, with brown bears, Eurasian lynx, and Caucasian salamanders all on display. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 July 2022 What’s the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron? Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 29 June 2022 Vegetables, apples, pears and berries and some landscape plants such as rhododendron, azaleas and lilac may be killed or stunted if grown in close proximity to black walnut roots or within the tree’s drip line (i.e., under the tree’s canopy). oregonlive, 9 July 2022 The rhododendron family of plants included showy flowers in yellows, purples, pale pinks, and snowy whites pop against deep green shiny leaves. Arricca Sansone, Country Living, 24 June 2022 Even the matchbooks were lovely, a bright neon red ornamented with a rhododendron blossom. Joy Callaway, WSJ, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin (linnaeus), going back to Latin, "oleander, a plant of the Black Sea region described by Pliny whose honey is toxic (probably Rhododendron ponticum)," borrowed from Greek rhodódendron, from rhodo- rhodo- + déndron "tree" — more at dendro-
First Known Use
1657, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing rhododendron
Kids Definition
rhododendron
noun
rho·do·den·dron ˌrō-də-ˈden-drən
: a shrub with leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of flowers