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

From the classic European look of Italian cypress to the tropical aesthetic of yellow oleander, here are 13 of the fastest-growing trees for privacy. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 13 June 2025

Certain types, such as oleander aphids, are viviparous (giving birth to live young) and parthenogenetic (giving birth without mating). —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

Although oleanders flower on new wood, summer pruning is still not advised. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025

It was set in lush gardens of oleander and bougainvillea, which climbed into the towering vegetation planted by founder Prince Alfonso de Hohenloe-Langenburg, a German-Spanish aristocrat who made Marbella a resort town. —Alexandra Shulman, Air Mail, 14 June 2025

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

• coriander
• salamander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander
• laender
• lander
• pander
• sander

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