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

You'll be forgiven for not realizing that oleander, specifically Nerium oleander, is toxic, because the woody little shrub is a common sight in suburban landscapes due to its abundant, fragrant white, pink, red, or purple flowers. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Sago palm, oleander, foxglove, azaleas and lily of the valley are all common and all poisonous. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Avoid plants toxic to dogs such as sago palm, oleander, foxglove and azaleas. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

The result was a garden characterized by eucalyptus, olive, carrotwood, crape myrtle, acacia and pepper trees along with plumbago, pride of Madeira, oleander, ivy and other species readily available in the 1980s. — Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026

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

• bystander
• commander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander

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