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

Inside, there are burgundy dahlias, petunias, verbena, salvia, and white zinnias. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026

How to Deadhead Shrubby Plants with Large Flowers These include large marigolds, summer phlox, astilbe, peonies, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daisies, annual and perennial salvia, petunias, and zinnias. — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026

These plant pests stimulate the Mexican petunia foliage to grow hairlike portions that form the white patches. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026

Pink, purple, red, yellow, orange, white There are countless varieties of petunias including newer varieties like New Wave that continue blooming without deadheading. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 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