azalea

[ uh-zeyl-yuh ]
/ əˈzeɪl yə /

noun

any of numerous shrubs belonging to a particular group (Azalea) of the genus Rhododendron, of the heath family, comprising species with handsome flower clusters of various colors, some of which are familiar in cultivation: the group was formerly the botanical genus Azalea but is now a horticultural classification.

Origin of azalea

1750–60; < New Latin < Greek azaléa, noun use of feminine of azaléos dry; so named because it grows in dry soil

Words nearby azalea

az-, az-zarqa, az., aza-, azaguanine, azalea, azan, azande, azania, azanian, azapo

Example sentences from the Web for azalea

British Dictionary definitions for azalea

azalea
/ (əˈzeɪljə) /

noun

any ericaceous plant of the group Azalea, formerly a separate genus but now included in the genus Rhododendron: cultivated for their showy pink or purple flowers

Word Origin for azalea

C18: via New Latin from Greek, from azaleos dry; from its supposed preference for a dry situation