petunia

noun

pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈtün-yə 

-ˈtyün-

: any of a genus (Petunia) of tropical South American herbs of the nightshade family that are commonly grown as annuals for their fragrant, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers

Illustration of petunia

Examples of petunia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This rotation must include all members of the tomato family (peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tomatillos, petunias) not just tomatoes. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Add a spiller, such as petunias or sweet potato vines, to cascade down the front of the pot. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026

All kinds of plants, from towering trees down to pots of petunias, need a steady supply of moisture in the soil around their roots. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Regular deadheading and occasional pruning help petunias regrow fuller and rebloom more consistently. — Jane Kim, The Spruce, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from obsolete French petun tobacco, from Tupi petɨ́ma

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for petunia

• dyspareunia

Kids Definition

petunia

noun

pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈt(y)ün-yə 

: any of a genus of tropical South American herbs of the nightshade family widely grown for their showy funnel-shaped flowers