water lily

noun

1. any of various aquatic plants of the genus Nymphaea, species of which have large, disklike, floating leaves and showy flowers, especially N. odorata, of America, or N. alba, of Europe. Compare water lily family.
2. any related plant of the genus Nuphar.
3. a plant of the water lily family.
4. the flower of any such plant.

water lily

noun

1. any of various aquatic plants of the genus Nymphaea and related genera, of temperate and tropical regions, having large leaves and showy flowers that float on the surface of the water: family Nymphaeaceae
2. any of various similar and related plants, such as the yellow water lily

Word History and Origins

Origin of water lily¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

There is some food aid, but many in the area survive by foraging for water lily roots and fish to supplement their rations.

From BBC

And near Bentiu, an elderly woman grinds water lily roots next to the flood water.

From BBC

While down in those murky depths he was harvesting the seeds of a type of water lily called euryale ferox.

From BBC

While down in those murky depths he was harvesting the seeds of a type of water lily called euryale ferox.

From BBC

Water Lily, a 45-year-old female hippopotamus who has lived at the Woodland Park Zoo since 1979, will be euthanized next week.

From Seattle Times