cypress

¹ American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

noun

1. any of several evergreen coniferous trees constituting the genus Cupressus, having dark-green, scalelike, overlapping leaves.

2. any of various other coniferous trees of allied genera, as the bald cypress.

3. any of various unrelated plants resembling the true cypress.

4. the wood of these trees or plants.

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cypress ² American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

Or cyprus

noun

Obsolete.

1. a fine, thin fabric resembling lawn or crepe, formerly used in black for mourning garments and trimmings.

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Cypress ³ American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

noun

1. a city in SW California.

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cypress ¹ British  

/ ˈsaɪprəs /

noun

1. any coniferous tree of the N temperate genus Cupressus, having dark green scalelike leaves and rounded cones: family Cupressaceae See also Leyland cypress

2. any of several similar and related trees, such as the widely cultivated Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ( Lawson's cypress ), of the western US

3. any of various other coniferous trees, esp the swamp cypress

4. the wood of any of these trees

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cypress ² British  

/ ˈsaɪprəs /

noun

1. a fabric, esp a fine silk, lawn, or crepelike material, often black and worn as mourning

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Etymology

Origin of cypress¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English cypresse < Late Latin cypressus, apparently blend of Latin cupressus and cyparissus < Greek kypárissos; replacing Middle English cipres < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin, as above

Origin of cypress²

1350–1400; Middle English cipre ( s ), cyprus, after Cyprus

Example Sentences

But most beat it back to the city without venturing to neighboring Colares, a verdant region of cypress and eucalyptus, with a generous supply of fruit stands and antique shops, gradually sloping to lesser-known beaches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

At the impact site, a fresh evergreen scent wafted through the air from cypress trees whose branches were blown off in the strike.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

She journeys to Chile’s remote Punta Arenas, home to the scenic Sara Braun Municipal Cemetery, a profusion of pruned cypress trees and a statue of an Unknown Indian.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

Green-roofed cabins housing hundreds of campers and staff dotted the area, which is lush with cypress and live oak trees.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2025

The cemetery was deserted and the dark crooning of the wind bowed the heavy cypress trees.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck