petunia

noun

pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈtün-yə 

-ˈtyün-

: any of a genus (Petunia) of tropical South American herbs of the nightshade family that are commonly grown as annuals for their fragrant, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers

Illustration of petunia

Examples of petunia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About This Episode A reader struggles with wild petunias. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Wave petunias, and late summer or early fall is an excellent time for planting them. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025

The genetic engineering techniques used to create the bioluminescent petunia are also costly and time consuming. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025

Many nursery growers use a mix heavy in peat to grow petunias and other flowers. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from obsolete French petun tobacco, from Tupi petɨ́ma

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for petunia

• dyspareunia

Kids Definition

petunia

noun

pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈt(y)ün-yə 

: any of a genus of tropical South American herbs of the nightshade family widely grown for their showy funnel-shaped flowers