bald cypress

noun

1
: a large deciduous conifer (Taxodium distichum of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of southern U.S. swamps that has flexible flat needles and is related to the sequoias
also : a related tree (T. mucronatum) of Mexico and southern Texas see cone illustration
2
: the hard red wood of bald cypress that is much used for shingles

Examples of bald cypress 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.
Large live oaks and bald cypress seem to be good survivors. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026 The bald cypress is native to much of the Gulf Coast and across riverine swamps of the Deep South. — Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Jan. 2026 Options like live oak, swamp white oak, and bald cypress resist pests and adapt to various soil and weather conditions. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026 Almost any large, mature tree can develop surface roots, but species like sycamore, poplar, willow, silver maple, and, of course, bald cypress, famous for its knees, are most likely to show their roots. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bald cypress

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bald cypress was in 1709

Browse Nearby Words

baldcrown
bald cypress
bald-domed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bald cypress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bald%20cypress. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bald cypress

noun
: either of two large swamp trees related to the pine and found in the southern U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on bald cypress

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bald cypress

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