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

Keep petunias blooming all summer long with this simple pruning technique. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025

However, because of its small flowers, Calibrachoa was long neglected by plant breeders in favor of the petunia with its larger blooms. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

Here, Gerdes created an airy, cohesive container with delicate, shimmering flowers of alyssum and ‘Glitz’ euphorbia, pops of pale purple ‘Starfish’ petunia blooms, soft mounds of velvety artemisia, and trailing silver tendrils of dichondra. —Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025

However, Calibrachoa enjoys an advantage over petunia. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

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