Illustration of iris
- iris 2
plural irises also irides
ˈī-rə-ˌdēz 
ˈir-ə-
1
a
: the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye see eye illustration
b
: iris diaphragm
also
: a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size
2
also plural iris
: any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers
3
: rainbow
Examples of iris in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
These are just a few of the 500 iris varieties of irises visitors will see in Schreiner’s dreamy display gardens, which opens to the public when the flowers peak in May.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Dig up the entire clump, cut the iris foliage back to 6-8 inches, and divide the clump into several new pieces.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2025
Others highlight new forms of tech, like Bradley Secker's photo of a Syrian boy paying for his groceries in a Jordanian refugee camp using an iris scanner.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for iris
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Noun
This offer is for all four colors: obsidian, iris, peony and porcelain.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
These are just a few of the 500 iris varieties of irises visitors will see in Schreiner’s dreamy display gardens, which opens to the public when the flowers peak in May.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Dig up the entire clump, cut the iris foliage back to 6-8 inches, and divide the clump into several new pieces.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2025
Others highlight new forms of tech, like Bradley Secker's photo of a Syrian boy paying for his groceries in a Jordanian refugee camp using an iris scanner.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for iris
Cite this Entry
“Iris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iris. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
iris
noun
plural irises or irides
ˈī-rə-ˌdēz
ˈir-ə-
ˈir-ə-
1
: the opaque muscular contractile diaphragm that is suspended in the aqueous humor in front of the lens of the eye, is perforated by the pupil and is continuous peripherally with the ciliary body, has a deeply pigmented posterior surface which excludes the entrance of light except through the pupil and a colored anterior surface which determines the color of the eyes
2
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