Cypress is the name applied to many plants in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is a conifer of northern temperate regions. Most cypress species are trees, while a few are shrubs. Most plants bearing the common name cypress are in the genera Cupressus and Chamaecyparis, but several other genera in the family also carry the name.

Cupressus sempervirens is famous for its longevity, and has been a popular garden plant for thousands of years.

The word "cypress" is derived from Old French "cipres", which was imported from Latin "cyparissus," the latinisation of the Greek κυπάρισσος (kyparissos).

The Cupressaceae family also contains 13-16 other genera (not listed above) that as of yet do not bear cypress in their common names.

The word cypress is also used as a descriptor for the angiosperm vine in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae, known as the Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit).

The plant called "summer cypress" is Bassia scoparia (Amaranthaceae).