mahonia

noun

ma·​ho·​nia mə-ˈhō-nē-ə How to pronounce mahonia (audio)
: any of a genus (Mahonia) of American and Asian shrubs (such as the Oregon grape) of the barberry family

Examples of mahonia 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.
Plants like mahonias and snowdrops add welcome winter color to gardens. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026 Other shrubs to consider include rabbitbrush, Apache plume, shrubby cinquefoil, three-lobed sumac and Fremont mahonia. — Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025 In the smaller container, creeping Jenny softens the combination of ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia, white petunias, and ‘Pink Fizz’ heucherella. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Bernard McMahon †1816 American botanist

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mahonia was in 1818

Rhymes for mahonia

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Browse Nearby Words

Mahone Bay
mahonia
Mahon stock
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Cite this Entry

“Mahonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mahonia. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

mahonia

noun
ma·​ho·​nia mə-ˈhō-nē-ə How to pronounce mahonia (audio)
1
capitalized in some classifications : a genus of North American and Asian shrubs (family Berberidaceae) that have unarmed branches and pinnate leaves and are now typically included in the genus Berberis
2
: any shrub of the genus Mahonia
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