witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl 
1
: any of a genus (Hamamelis of the family Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family) of shrubs or small trees with slender-petaled usually yellow flowers borne in late fall or early spring
especially
: one (H. virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (H. virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion
Examples of witch hazel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Grow in Zones 4-8. 08 of 08 Fringe Flower
Botanical Name: Loropetalum chinense
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
Soil pH: 4.5-6.5
This evergreen shrub in the witch hazel family can be grown in Zones 7 to 9 and bears fringed white or pink flowers.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 May 2024
The witch hazel has developed a similar adaptation.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for witch hazel 
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 May 2024
The witch hazel has developed a similar adaptation.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for witch hazel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'witch hazel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near witch hazel
Cite this Entry
“Witch hazel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20hazel. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl
1
: any of a genus of shrubs or small trees that produce usually yellow flowers with very thin petals in late fall or early spring
especially
: one of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: a soothing alcoholic lotion made from the bark of the witch hazel
Etymology
from witch, an old name for any of several trees with branches that bend easily, from Old English wice (same meaning)
Medical Definition
witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl
1
: any small tree or shrub of the genus Hamamelis
especially
: one (Hamamelis virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion
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