lotus

noun

lo·​tus ˈlō-təs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
plural lotuses also lotus
1
or less commonly lotos
ˈlō-təs How to pronounce lotus (audio)
: 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
b
: sweet clover

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 god Vishnu is typically depicted with four arms, often holding in them a discus, a club, a conch shell, and a lotus. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 And with my audience specifically, because lotuses are everywhere, in jewelry or in nature. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Six illuminated lotus flowers will grace the water of the Paddleboat Quarry, inviting Naperville Riverwalk visitors to have a meditative experience, according to ArtForum Treasurer Erin Franczyk. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 The 220-piece set includes two blooming lotus flowers and a budding flower with pink-and-white petals and long green stems. — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 24 June 2026 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

Phrases Containing lotus

Rhymes for lotus

See All Rhymes for lotus

Browse Nearby Words

Lotuko
lotus
lotus bird
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lotus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lotus. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lotus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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