petunia

noun

pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈtün-yə How to pronounce petunia (audio)
-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

Illustration of petunia

Examples of petunia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If your petunias and coleus look spindly and leggy, use pruning shears to cut them back by about one-half. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025 However, the petunia’s glow is often more muted and is only available in one color—green. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025 Keep petunias deadheaded for more blooms and a neater appearance. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025 Some of these flowering plants include bee balms, columbine flowers, daylilies, lupines and petunias. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for petunia

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petunia was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petunia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petunia. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

petunia

noun
pe·​tu·​nia pi-ˈt(y)ün-yə How to pronounce petunia (audio)
: any of a genus of tropical South American herbs of the nightshade family widely grown for their showy funnel-shaped flowers

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