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Definition of bald cypress
bald cypress
Plural:bald cypresses
bald cypress Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
American A large deciduous coniferous tree native to the swampy coastal plains of the southeastern United States, characterized by its shedding of needle-like leaves in autumn and the production of distinctive woody projections called knees that grow above the water level.
Example
"While kayaking through the Louisiana bayou, we glided past ancient bald cypresses draped heavily in Spanish moss."
Word Origin & Etymology
The term 'bald' refers to its deciduous nature, as it sheds its leaves early in the autumn and appears bare, unlike most other cone-bearing trees. 'Cypress' derives from the Old French 'cipres' and Latin 'cupressus'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bald cypress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bald cypress