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

American Express, the grizzled veteran of consumer debt, was hosting its premium cardholders inside the hallowed grounds, seating them in the fourth row of Centre Court and serving them high tea in a beige suite adorned with hanging petunias. —Alyson Krueger, Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025

As with vincas, petunias, snapdragons, and a few other annuals, soggy soils can cause stem rot and plant death with pansies. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025

Beyond this, annual flowers such as petunias, marigolds, and zinnias can be used to add bursts of color throughout your beds and borders. —William Jones, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

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