citrus

[ si-truhs ]

noun

, plural cit·rus·es.

1. any small tree or spiny shrub of the genus Citrus, of the rue family, including the lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, citron, kumquat, and shaddock, widely cultivated for fruit or grown as an ornamental.
2. the tart-to-sweet, pulpy fruit of any of these trees or shrubs, having a characteristically smooth, shiny, stippled skin.

adjective

1. Also citrous. of or relating to such trees or shrubs, or their fruit.

citrus

/ ˈsɪtrəs /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical rutaceous genus Citrus, which includes the orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, citron, and calamondin

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the genus Citrus or to the fruits of plants of this genus

citrus

/ sĭt′rəs /

1. Any of various evergreen trees or shrubs bearing fruit with juicy flesh and a thick rind. Citrus trees are native to southern and southeast Asia but are grown in warm climates around the world. Many species have spines. The orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit are citrus trees.
2. The usually edible fruit of one of these trees or shrubs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of citrus¹

1815–25; < New Latin, Latin: citron tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of citrus¹

C19: from Latin: citrus tree, sandarac tree; related to Greek kedros cedar

Example Sentences

It takes a significant amount of water to keep avocados and citrus happy, a resource that does not flow so naturally through Southern California.

From Voice of San Diego

Trim off any rinds, cut the cheese into chunks or batons, and place them snugly in a glass jar along with any aromatics you fancy such as rosemary, chiles, or citrus zest.

From Popular-Science

Elegant and bright with red fruit flavors, the Champagne offers a fine mousse that supports the fresh and complex citrus notes with distinct hints of lemon, cherry, and strawberry.

From Fortune

For bright flavors, I reach for citrus peels, sumac, and rose hips.

From Popular-Science

The blush-hued wine features fruit and sharp citrus aromas, with a crisp and dry well-rounded finish.

From Fortune

Meanwhile younger, lighter colors evoke citrus and tree fruits, candy sugars and vanilla toffee.

From The Daily Beast

I became numb to the barrage of smells: citrus disinfectants, burning trash, sewage, sweat, and diesel.

From The Daily Beast

Strong fennel and wormwood hit the back of my tongue along with a dryness from the barrel and hints of citrus from the chamomile.

From The Daily Beast

He sprays the glass with some citrus peel and garnishes the cocktail with an organic flower and cinnamon sticks.

From The Daily Beast

Where Citrus County felt like a coiled spring, the pace of A Million Heavens is sedate, diffused among a dozen or so characters.

From The Daily Beast

The most costly, so far as we know, were the round tables made from cross-sections of the citrus-tree, found in Africa.

From Project Gutenberg

But there were no citrus trees in the Holy Land when He walked its highways and crossed through its orchards.

From Project Gutenberg

In the studio, upon the throne-like chair of carved citrus wood and heavy crimson silk, Dea Flavia sat silent and alone.

From Project Gutenberg

She herself sat on a high chair with circular back carved of citrus wood, but Caius Nepos and the others preferred to stand.

From Project Gutenberg

The greatest use made of citrus fruits is that of serving them raw.

From Project Gutenberg