oleander

noun ole·an·der \ ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər , ˌō-lē-ˈan- \

Definition of oleander

:a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family with clusters of fragrant white to red flowers

See oleander defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of oleander from the Web

Then, according to the paper: A few minutes later, officers noticed the boy hiding in the backyard, near an oleander bush, and chased him, [police spokesman Jay] Rivera said.

— monique judge, The Root, "What Really Happened to 16-Year-Old Anthony Garrett?," 18 July 2017
In Croatia, Victoria's Secret model Josephine Skriver echoed her environment, a bold brow and tousled brunette made vivid by way of a pop of pink oleander tucked behind one ear.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "How to Wear a Runway-Inspired Flower Crown Like a Supermodel," 10 July 2017
Q: Our oleander is healthy and blooming but starting to become leggy.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rain at root of cracking tomatoes," 1 July 2017
The bear was startled and hid in some nearby oleander bushes.

— hailey branson-potts, latimes.com, "Bear to be euthanized after wandering onto 210 Freeway, gets struck by vehicle," 15 May 2017
Behind us, Nestor’s palace is surrounded by flowering oleander trees and is covered with an impressive new metal roof, completed just in time for the site’s reopening to the public in June 2016 after a three-year, multimillion-euro restoration.

— myrto papadopoulos, Smithsonian, "This 3,500-Year-Old Greek Tomb Upended What We Thought We Knew About the Roots of Western Civilization," 2 May 2017
Bailey’s favorite spot is beneath a large oleander on the corner.

— joan morris, The Mercury News, "How to convince your dog to go out in the rain," 19 Jan. 2017
Within a short drive of the Pentagon, the CIA, and the rest of the national security state, one immaculate office park after another rises above the oleander, gleaming facades capped with muscular logos –

— dan baum, WIRED, "This Gun For Hire," 1 Feb. 2003

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oleander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of oleander

Medieval Latin, alteration of arodandrum, lorandrum, perhaps alteration of Latin rhododendron — more at rhododendron

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1545

See Words from the same year

OLEANDER Defined for English Language Learners

oleander

noun

Definition of oleander for English Language Learners

: a bush with long, narrow leaves and white, pink, or yellow flowers

Medical Dictionary

oleander

noun ole·an·der \ ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər, ˌō-lē-ˈ \

medical Definition of oleander

: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