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Definition of pennisetum
pennisetum
/ˌpɛnɪˈsiːtəm/
pen · ni · se · tum
Plural:pennisetums
pennisetum Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of a large genus of widespread, primarily tropical and warm-temperate grasses in the family Poaceae, characterized by feathery, bristle-like flower spikes, often cultivated as ornamental fountain grasses or as agricultural forage and grain crops like pearl millet.
Example
"The landscape architect planted a dramatic border of purple pennisetum to add texture and movement to the garden."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for pennisetum• Rhymes for pennisetum
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Word Origin & Etymology
From Modern Latin Pennisetum, derived from the Latin 'penna' (feather) and 'seta' (bristle), referring to the distinctive feathery bristles surrounding the plant's flower spikes.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pennisetum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pennisetum