willow

noun

wil·​low ˈwi-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce willow (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals
2
: an object made of willow wood
especially : a cricket bat
willowlike
ˈwi-lō-ˌlīk How to pronounce willow (audio)
adjective

Examples of willow 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.
Look for them on cottonwood, willow, aspen, or alder trees across northern and mountainous regions, according to the University of British Columbia. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 Past a large red barn and a pair of weeping willows framing a pond, the stately two-story structure comes into view. — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 Visual effects have their own names—chrysanthemum, peony, willow, palm. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Deciduous trees like maple, oak, birch, willow, and poplar can sprout prolifically. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for willow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wilghe, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle High German wilge willow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willow was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing willow

Rhymes for willow

See All Rhymes for willow

Browse Nearby Words

Willoughby
willow
willow acacia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Willow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willow. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

willow

noun
wil·​low ˈwil-ō How to pronounce willow (audio)
: any of a genus of trees and shrubs that often have narrow leaves, produce catkins for flowers, and include some used for their wood, for making baskets, or as ornamentals
willowlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce willow (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on willow

Nglish: Translation of willow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about willow

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