poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə 

 nonstandard  pȯint-,

nonstandard

-ˈse-tə 

: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts

especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

Illustration of poinsettia

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fields switched from poinsettias to ranunculus and strawberries after the poinsettias moved into greenhouses in the 1960s. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Place the cut poinsettias in a vase of cool water for 30 minutes to allow the stems to seal. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2024

Two very distinct plants – poinsettias and mistletoe – have gained popularity as holiday decorations. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

The Ecke family embraced innovations in poinsettia production. —Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə  -ˈset-ə 

: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers