baby's breath

noun

: any of a large genus (Gypsophila) of Old World herbs of the pink family having loosely branching clusters of numerous small, delicate, usually white or pink flowers
especially : a perennial herb (Gypsophila paniculata) or an annual herb (G. elegans) commonly used in floral arrangements

Examples of baby's breath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Customers said the set is a joy to build and depicts a dozen red roses, including 4 in full bloom, four blooming, and 4 in bud, with long green stems for vase display, plus four sprigs of baby's breath with small white flowers. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2024 Carly wore a Galia Lahav gown for the ceremony and later changed into a Galvan dress (and braided baby's breath flowers into her hair) for the reception. Leena Kim, Town & Country, 21 Dec. 2022 These plants, also called snowflake, bloom profusely, lending a wispy, baby's breath-type effect to other nearby plantings. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 24 Aug. 2022 To create this airy spring wreath, tuck dried bundles of baby's breath, king protea and whitewashed sun palm leaves onto a grapevine wreath. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022 Its wispy leaves and profuse airy white flowers offer a delicate baby's breath-like effect to mixed pots, says Glenn Kopp, horticulture information manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 1 Aug. 2022 Look for blue cornflowers, white baby's breath, pink cosmos, blue love-in-a-mist, and lavender catchfly. Charlotte Germane, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2022 This brings back a memory of Nurse Fiona, who has finger-print bruises on her arm, and a boyfriend who brings her a bouquet of carnations and baby's breath, which everyone knows is the worst bouquet. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Oct. 2021 The baby's breath is just an accent to the massive bouquet of sunflowers atop Chase's casket. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baby's breath.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baby's breath was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near baby's breath

Cite this Entry

“Baby's breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baby%27s%20breath. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

baby's breath

noun
: a tall branching herb that is related to the carnation, has clusters of small fragrant white or pink flowers, and is often used in flower arrangements

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