bougainvillea

noun

bou·​gain·​vil·​lea ˌbü-gən-ˈvil-yə How to pronounce bougainvillea (audio)
ˌbō-,
ˌbu̇-,
-ˈvē-ə How to pronounce bougainvillea (audio)
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
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While bougainvillea can be planted in early autumn in warmer areas, these tropical plants usually fare better when planted in spring or summer. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025 Here, in the bougainvillea-laden tiers of this gleaming white 10-bedroom estate, wrapped by aromatic herb gardens that flow down to the sea, dreams can come true — for a price. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 The resort’s 343 suites and 15 villas are scattered across uber-chic grounds—as bougainvillea climbs stone walls and charming boulevards wind past mini snack cafés, flamingo-pink vintage telephone boxes, and gourmet gelato huts. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 The lush motif is carried outdoors to the deck off of the kitchen, where the hillside’s palm trees, bougainvillea and citrus provide shade for the dining table and chairs. Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bougainvillea

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Louis Antoine de Bougainville

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bougainvillea was in 1849

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Cite this Entry

“Bougainvillea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bougainvillea. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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