holly
noun
hol·ly ˈhä-lē 
plural hollies
1
: any of a genus (Ilex of the family Aquifoliaceae, the holly family) of trees and shrubs
especially : either of two (I. opaca of the eastern U.S. and I. aquifolium of Eurasia) with spiny-margined evergreen leaves and usually red berries often used for Christmas decorations
2
: the foliage or branches of the holly
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The treehouse is known as Hollyrood House after the Queen's home in Edinburgh, Scotland — and because it was built in an old holly tree. 
Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 21 Jan. 2022 Now one last word on American holly as a garden plant. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2021 Specimens can grow up to 40-feet tall, stay narrow enough to fit nicely in most home landscapes, and as long as there’s a male holly in the neighborhood, female specimens produce those fabulous berries for a super winter display. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2021 Shrubs planted included speckled alder, service berry, sweet pepperbush, elderberry, highbush blueberry, and bayberry, and varieties of holly, dogwood, and choke cherry among others. BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021 So hang out the holly, clutch a warming elixir and hook up your best speakers for these concert programs by Twin Cities ensembles. Rob Hubbard, Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020 Normally, only portions of the plants have dead sections, and the rest of the holly is capable of recovery. Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 21 Nov. 2020 Decorate your tree in green holly leaf lights ($11), red poinsettia bulbs ($11), or our favorite option—festive Christmas bird lights ($11). Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2020 Other excellent hollies include East Palatka, Dwarf Burford, Needle Point (also known as Willow Leaf), Wirt Winn, Savannah, Yaupon and Dwarf Yaupon. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 4 Mar. 2020 See More
Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 21 Jan. 2022 Now one last word on American holly as a garden plant. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2021 Specimens can grow up to 40-feet tall, stay narrow enough to fit nicely in most home landscapes, and as long as there’s a male holly in the neighborhood, female specimens produce those fabulous berries for a super winter display. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2021 Shrubs planted included speckled alder, service berry, sweet pepperbush, elderberry, highbush blueberry, and bayberry, and varieties of holly, dogwood, and choke cherry among others. BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021 So hang out the holly, clutch a warming elixir and hook up your best speakers for these concert programs by Twin Cities ensembles. Rob Hubbard, Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020 Normally, only portions of the plants have dead sections, and the rest of the holly is capable of recovery. Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 21 Nov. 2020 Decorate your tree in green holly leaf lights ($11), red poinsettia bulbs ($11), or our favorite option—festive Christmas bird lights ($11). Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2020 Other excellent hollies include East Palatka, Dwarf Burford, Needle Point (also known as Willow Leaf), Wirt Winn, Savannah, Yaupon and Dwarf Yaupon. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 4 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English holin, holly, from Old English holen; akin to Old High German hulis holly, Middle Irish cuilenn
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing holly
Kids Definition
holly
noun
hol·ly ˈhä-lē
plural hollies
: an evergreen tree or shrub that has shiny leaves with prickly edges and red berries
Medical Definition
holly
see sea holly