Illustration of poinsettia
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
Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trim back poinsettias 4 to 6 inches after a foot of new growth to keep them compact.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Thousands of poinsettias—in shades of red, pink, white, and variegations—flare against indoor gardens' tropical foliage.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 9 Apr. 2026
The Flower Fields started as a small ranunculus farm in the mid-1960s, when Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where the Eckes had been growing their world-famous poinsettias.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Some plants, such as lilies and poinsettias, can be toxic to dogs and cats.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poinsettia
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Thousands of poinsettias—in shades of red, pink, white, and variegations—flare against indoor gardens' tropical foliage.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 9 Apr. 2026
The Flower Fields started as a small ranunculus farm in the mid-1960s, when Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where the Eckes had been growing their world-famous poinsettias.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Some plants, such as lilies and poinsettias, can be toxic to dogs and cats.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poinsettia
Cite this Entry
“Poinsettia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poinsettia. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
poinsettia
noun
poin·set·tia
pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə
-ˈset-ə
-ˈset-ə
: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers
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