banyan
3 synonyms for banyan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) whose branches send down aerial roots that grow into new trunks, letting a single tree spread over a huge area.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Portuguese baniano, from Arabic baniyān, ultimately from Sanskrit vāṇija ("merchant"). The tree itself was named after the Hindu merchants (banyans) who traditionally gathered and traded beneath one famous specimen near a port in Persia.
Full origin of banyan →Frequently asked questions
What does “banyan” mean?
The word “banyan” means a large Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) whose branches send down aerial roots that grow into new trunks, letting a single tree spread over a huge area. In plain terms, best known as the sprawling Indian fig tree with roots that hang down and take root themselves; also an older word for an Indian merchant or a light undershirt.
How do you pronounce “banyan”?
“Banyan” is pronounced BAN-yan (/ˈbæn.jæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “banyan” in a sentence?
Here is “banyan” used in a sentence: “A single banyan tree in Kolkata's botanical garden covers several acres and looks like an entire forest.”
What part of speech is “banyan”?
“Banyan” is a noun.
Where does the word “banyan” come from?
The word “banyan” comes from Portuguese.
How many meanings does “banyan” have?
“Banyan” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) whose branches send down aerial roots that grow into new trunks, letting a single tree spread over a huge area.
Related words
Banyan in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)
