1
: a reddish-brown dye that is used especially on hair and in temporary tattoos and is obtained from the leaves of an Old World tropical shrub or small tree
2
: the Old World tropical shrub or small tree (Lawsonia inermis) of the loosestrife family that yields henna dye and has small opposite leaves and clusters of fragrant usually white flowers
hennaed; hennaing; hennas
: to dye with henna
a woman with hennaed hair
Examples of henna in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
Her natural hair had been dyed with juniper and henna.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Her natural hair had been dyed with henna and juniper, while the long wig had been treated with quartz, magnetite, and albite crystals to stiffen the braids and blacken the color.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Aug. 2024
Fest-goers can visit with fortune tellers and henna artists, explore the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and check out the French Bulldog kissing booth.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for henna 
Noun
Beneath it, her natural hair had also been treated with care, dyed with henna and juniper.
—New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
Her natural hair had been dyed with juniper and henna.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Her natural hair had been dyed with henna and juniper, while the long wig had been treated with quartz, magnetite, and albite crystals to stiffen the braids and blacken the color.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Aug. 2024
Fest-goers can visit with fortune tellers and henna artists, explore the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and check out the French Bulldog kissing booth.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for henna
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'henna.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Henna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/henna. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
henna
1 of 2 noun
hen·na
ˈhen-ə 
: a reddish brown dye obtained from the leaves of an Old World tropical shrub and used especially on hair
henna
2 of 2 verb
hennaed
ˈhen-əd
; hennaing
: to dye or tint with henna
Medical Definition
henna
noun
hen·na
ˈhen-ə
1
: an Old World tropical shrub or small tree (Lawsonia inermis) of the loosestrife family (Lythraceae) with clusters of fragrant white flowers
2
: a reddish brown dye obtained from the leaves of the henna plant and used especially on hair and in temporary tattoos
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