oleander

noun

ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər 

ˌō-lē-ˈan-

: a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family with clusters of fragrant white to red flowers

Examples of oleander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The coffeehouse patched with oleander, Captain’s house behind the crooked pine, our restaurant painted blue and white. —Aysegül Savas, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025

The hotel is planted throughout with fresh greenery, including oleander, Nile lilies, pomegranate, and Spanish olive trees. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025

From the classic European look of Italian cypress to the tropical aesthetic of yellow oleander, here are 13 of the fastest-growing trees for privacy. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 13 June 2025

Certain types, such as oleander aphids, are viviparous (giving birth to live young) and parthenogenetic (giving birth without mating). —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, alteration of arodandrum, lorandrum, perhaps alteration of Latin rhododendron — more at rhododendron

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oleander

• coriander
• salamander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander
• laender
• lander
• pander
• sander

Kids Definition

oleander

noun

ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər 

: a poisonous evergreen shrub with showy fragrant usually white, pink, or purple flowers

Medical Definition

oleander

noun

ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər, ˌō-lē-ˈ 

: a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) with fragrant white to red flowers that contains oleandrin and was formerly used in medicine