lotus

noun

lo·​tus ˈlō-təs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
plural lotuses also lotus
1
or less commonly lotos : a fruit eaten by the lotus-eaters and considered to cause indolence and dreamy contentment
also : a tree (such as Zizyphus lotus of the buckthorn family) reputed to bear this fruit
2
: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art and religious symbolism
3
[New Latin, from Latin]
a
: any of a genus (Lotus) of widely distributed upright herbs or subshrubs of the legume family

Illustration of lotus

Illustration of lotus
  • lotus 2

Examples of lotus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The upper half is adorned with a large lotus flower, which is a recurring motif in the Imperiale collection. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 July 2025 Pei recently wrote a guide on the topic, recommending that couples include tea ceremonies and Chinese lion dances, and to weave in cultural symbols into the decor — such as using peonies, lotuses and cherry blossoms with orchids or roses into floral centerpieces. CNN Money, 9 July 2025 Her collection, entitled Clove, incorporated botanical elements like 24-karat gold electroplated ginko leaves, lotus flowers from her mother’s garden and urban influences inspired by Seoul. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 8 July 2025 Each guest is served a little dish of spiced lotus nuts as a drinking snack, while the menu features chura vada pav, pani puri, and a Goan chicken curry omelette. Jordan Michelman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lotus

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin lotus, from Greek lōtos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lotus was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lotus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lotus. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lotus

noun
lo·​tus ˈlōt-əs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
: any of various water lilies including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art

More from Merriam-Webster on lotus

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