Illustration of protea
: any of a genus (Protea of the family Proteaceae, the protea family) of African evergreen shrubs often grown as ornamentals for their showy bracts and dense flower heads
Examples of protea in a Sentence
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Behind the beach, subtropical gardens bloom with palms and flame-red proteas—nurtured by Tresco’s rare microclimate.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Below the artwork, fresh plantings of pincushion protea flowers in a rainbow of colors dot a linear garden, brightening up a path students and teachers will walk every day.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Bold floral installations of blooms like bougainvillea can instantly brighten up a ceremony space; protea or peonies are also intriguing choices.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024
On Mel’s steep parcel, I’m captivated by the ‘Fiesta’, a hybrid protea.
—Sunset Magazine, 30 Dec. 2021
There’s also a huge exotic protea on the grounds that looks like a sunny pin cushion sent straight from Maui. Follow the winding path up to the pretty infinity pool and sink into a chaise lounge.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 25 May 2021
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Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Below the artwork, fresh plantings of pincushion protea flowers in a rainbow of colors dot a linear garden, brightening up a path students and teachers will walk every day.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Bold floral installations of blooms like bougainvillea can instantly brighten up a ceremony space; protea or peonies are also intriguing choices.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024
On Mel’s steep parcel, I’m captivated by the ‘Fiesta’, a hybrid protea.
—Sunset Magazine, 30 Dec. 2021
There’s also a huge exotic protea on the grounds that looks like a sunny pin cushion sent straight from Maui. Follow the winding path up to the pretty infinity pool and sink into a chaise lounge.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 25 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Protea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protea. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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