oleander

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

Examples of oleander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub commonly found in backyards and along roadways. — Laura Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio-area oleander farm is go-to for anti-aging creams," 11 Oct. 2019 Yellowish oleander aphids also are common on milkweeds this time of year. — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Milkweed bugs and butternut squash," 26 Sep. 2019 The beautification work, which includes the planting of 10,000-11,000 trees, boasts pine, crape myrtles and oleander varieties. — Carissa D. Lamkahouan, Houston Chronicle, "TxDOT keeps U.S. 290 projects moving forward in Cypress area," 5 Aug. 2019 By the spring of 1946, within a year of the bombing of Hiroshima, red oleander was blooming once more. — Daily Intelligencer, "This Is What a Nuclear Bomb Looks Like," 12 June 2018 Then the landscape changes to bone-dry river beds lined with palms and oleander, before, finally, becoming rust-hued desert. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, "Hiking the Jordan Trail to Petra," 25 Apr. 2018 For a 3- to 5-foot hedge, consider dwarf yaupon holly, Chinese mahonia, dwarf sasanqua, dwarf oleander, azaleas, Indian hawthorn, nandina and Rotunda holly. — NOLA.com, "How to plant some privacy: 4 tips for growing a hedge," 27 Jan. 2018 Keep an eye on the forecast before taking the clippers to that dead wood on lantana, hibiscus, es-peranza, duranta, plumbago, oleander and firebush. — Kathy Huber, Houston Chronicle, "After the freeze comes the cleanup in the garden," 19 Jan. 2018 For hedges 6- to 10-feet tall, ligustrum, cleyera, camellia, sasanqua, oleander, dwarf Burford holly, gardenia, pittosporum, and Indian azaleas are possible choices. — NOLA.com, "How to plant some privacy: 4 tips for growing a hedge," 27 Jan. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

23 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Oleander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oleander. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for oleander

oleander

noun

English Language Learners Definition of oleander

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

See the full definition for oleander in the English Language Learners 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

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