ginkgo

or ging·ko

[ ging-koh, jing- ]

noun

, plural gink·goes.

1. a large shade tree, Ginkgo biloba, native to China, having fan-shaped leaves and fleshy seeds with edible kernels: the sole surviving species of the gymnosperm family Ginkgoaceae, which thrived in the Jurassic Period, and existing almost exclusively in cultivation.

ginkgo

/ ˈɡɪŋkɡəʊ; ˈɡɪŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a widely planted ornamental Chinese gymnosperm tree, Ginkgo biloba, with fan-shaped deciduous leaves and fleshy yellow fruit: phylum Ginkgophyta . It is used in herbal remedies and as a food supplement Also calledmaidenhair tree

ginkgo

/ gĭng′kō /

1. A deciduous, dioecious tree (Ginkgo biloba) which is the sole surviving member of the Ginkgoales, an order of gymnosperms that was extremely widespread in the Mesozoic era. It belongs to a genus which has changed very little since the end of the Jurassic period. The tree, a native of China, has fan-shaped leaves and fleshy yellowish seeds containing an edible kernel. Ginkgoes are often grown as ornamental street trees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ginkgo¹

1765–75; < NL representation of Japanese ginkyō, equivalent to gin silver (< Chinese ) + kyō apricot (< Chin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ginkgo¹

C18: from Japanese ginkyō, from Ancient Chinese yin silver + hang apricot

Example Sentences

Jacaranda are “second only to our ginkgo displays, which turn gold in the fall.”

From Los Angeles Times

First come her ears, floating like ginkgo leaves.

From New York Times

By pairing caffeine with other buzzy active ingredients like ginseng, carnitine, creatine and ginkgo biloba, they position these drinks as enhancers of mental alertness and concentration, too.

From Salon

On a crisp fall day at Birmingham-Southern College, the students were making their way to class, stealing a few cold minutes under the golden ginkgo trees.

From New York Times

"A ginkgo tree supports virtually none of our native insects or birds," he said.

From Science Daily