chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kri-ˈsan(t)-thə-məm 

also -ˈzan(t)-

1

: any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

Illustration of chrysanthemum

• chrysanthemum 2

Examples of chrysanthemum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One particularly potent collage combines his portrait and fingerprint with the Japanese imperial chrysanthemum. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Ants dislike chrysanthemums, mint varieties, tansy, and marigolds, so add them to your garden as deterrents. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

Yi-hyeok’s smiling portrait rested on a table cradled by a sea of white chrysanthemums. —Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026

These plants include ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin chrȳsanthemon, chrȳsanthemum "a yellow-flowered composite plant," borrowed from Greek chrȳsánthemon "any of various plants with bright yellow flowers," from chrȳsós "gold" + ánthemon "blossom, flower" — more at chryso-, anthemion

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chrysanthemum

noun

chry·​san·​the·​mum kris-ˈan(t)-thə-məm 

1

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the daisies and include weeds, ornamental plants grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of substances used in medicine and as insecticides

2

: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum