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โ‡ฑ CARNATION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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1
: a plant of any of numerous often cultivated and usually double-flowered varieties or subspecies of an Old World pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) found in many color variations
2
: a moderate red
3
archaic : the variable color of human flesh

Examples of carnation in a Sentence

The groom wore a carnation in his buttonhole.
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.
And, more spectacularly, the car wash, which here has a taxi driving through that's made of synthetic and real carnations. โ€”๐Ÿ‘ Image
Jennifer Vanasco, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026 Dye white carnations green with food coloring and leave a bouquet on the table. โ€”๐Ÿ‘ Image
Amanda Rock, Parents, 16 Mar. 2026 According to Shively, shoppers may find rose bunches, mixed seasonal blooms, greenery bundles, or classics like carnations; the flowers available depend on the store. โ€”๐Ÿ‘ Image
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026 Another mixed floral bouquet, this smaller bunch of blooms also contains roses, carnations, and large chrysanthemums in a variety of colors. โ€”๐Ÿ‘ Image
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carnation

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian carnagione, from carne flesh, from Latin carn-, caro

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of carnation was circa 1535

Rhymes for carnation

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

โ€œCarnation.โ€ Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnation. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

carnation

noun
1
: a moderate red
2
: any of the numerous cultivated herbs of the genus of pinks with reddish, pink, yellow, or white usually double flowers

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