bougainvillea
noun
bou·gain·vil·lea
ˌbü-gən-ˈvil-yə 
ˌbō-,
ˌbu̇-,
-ˈvē-ə
variants
or less commonly bougainvillaea
: any of a genus (Bougainvillaea) of the four-o'clock family of ornamental tropical American woody vines and shrubs with brilliant purple or red floral bracts
Examples of bougainvillea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sidewalk flower boxes beckon with brilliant pink, purple and red petunias, and vibrant bougainvillea adorns the entryways of storefronts.
—
Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Mornings stretch slowly over strong coffee and views of the turquoise Aegean and afternoons are for swimming at golden beaches, exploring stone pathways punctuated by hot pink cascades of bougainvillea, or doing nothing at all.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
The landscaping follows a Mediterranean palette—olive trees, bougainvillea, and layers of dense greenery, including mature flowering vines—creating a secluded feel from the surrounding neighborhood.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
To stay there—surrounded by diverse flora, like pistachio trees and bushes of bougainvillea—is to surrender to the lush environment, to simply do nothing but look.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bougainvillea
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Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Mornings stretch slowly over strong coffee and views of the turquoise Aegean and afternoons are for swimming at golden beaches, exploring stone pathways punctuated by hot pink cascades of bougainvillea, or doing nothing at all.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
The landscaping follows a Mediterranean palette—olive trees, bougainvillea, and layers of dense greenery, including mature flowering vines—creating a secluded feel from the surrounding neighborhood.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
To stay there—surrounded by diverse flora, like pistachio trees and bushes of bougainvillea—is to surrender to the lush environment, to simply do nothing but look.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bougainvillea
Cite this Entry
“Bougainvillea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bougainvillea. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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